Environmental Protection Agency (Ireland)
State agency
Agency nameEnvironmental Protection Agency
NativenameAn Ghníomhaireacht um Chaomhnú Comhshaoil
Formed1993
JurisdictionIreland
Coordinates52.295915°N 6.501418°W
HeadquartersJohnstown Castle, Wexford, Y35 W821, Ireland
Employees350+[1]
Budget€72.85 million (2018)
Chief1 nameLaura Burke
Websitewww.epa.ie

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for protecting and improving the environment as a valuable asset for the people of Ireland. It operates independently under the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment.[2]

History

The EPA was founded in 1993, following the enactment of the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992.[3][4] In 2014, it merged with the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, which was itself founded in 1992.[5][6] The present-day EPA continues the activities of both groups.[7]

Organisation

The EPA operates independently under the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment.[2] It is led by an advisory committee headed by a director general. The current director general, Laura Burke, was appointed in 2011.[8]

Offices

There are five offices which answer to the advisory committee.[9]

  • The Office of Environmental Enforcement is responsible for implementing and enforcing environmental legislation.[10]
  • The Office of Environmental Sustainability is responsible for advocating for environmental protection and sustainability, with a goal in particular to meet Ireland's multiple environmental commitments.[11]
  • The Office of Evidence and Assessment is responsible for providing environmental data, information and assessment.[12]
  • The Office of Radiation Protection and Environmental Monitoring - responsible for ensuring that the public is protected from the effects of harmful ionizing radiation.[13]
  • The Office of Communications and Corporate Services - responsible for providing support for all staff across the EPA.[1]

Sites

The EPA operates from a number of sites across Ireland. The Headquarters are located in Johnstown Castle Estate, County Wexford.

Additional offices are located in:[14]

See also

References

  1. ^ (EPA), Environmental Protection Agency. "Office of Communications and Corporate Services". www.epa.ie. Archived from the original on 11 April 2017. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
  2. ^ Joint Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services (2017-02-15). The Role of EPA in Regulation of Public Water Services. p. 2. Retrieved 2017-04-10.
  3. ^ Review of the Environmental Protection Agency - Consultation Document. April 2010. p. 1. Archived from the original on 2017-04-11. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
  4. ^ "Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992". No. 7. 23 April 1992. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
  5. ^ (EPA), Environmental Protection Agency. "Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII)". www.epa.ie. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
  6. ^ Mills, Gillian (2014-08-01). "Merger of State agencies EPA and RPII | Inshore Ireland". www.inshore-ireland.com. Archived 2018-09-20 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2017-04-10.
  7. ^ (EPA), Environmental Protection Agency. "EPA and RPII to Merge". www.epa.ie. Archived from the original on 11 April 2017. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
  8. ^ (EPA), Environmental Protection Agency. "Laura Burke". www.epa.ie. Archived from the original on 11 April 2017. Retrieved 9 April 2017.
  9. ^ (EPA), Environmental Protection Agency. "Our Organisational Structure". www.epa.ie. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
  10. ^ (EPA), Environmental Protection Agency. "Office of Environmental Sustainability (OES)". www.epa.ie. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
  11. ^ (EPA), Environmental Protection Agency. "Office of Environmental Enforcement". www.epa.ie. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
  12. ^ (EPA), Environmental Protection Agency. "Office of Evidence and Assessment (OEA)". www.epa.ie. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
  13. ^ (EPA), Environmental Protection Agency. "Office of Radiation Protection and Environmental Monitoring". www.epa.ie. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
  14. ^ (EPA), Environmental Protection Agency. "Contact Us - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA". www.epa.ie. Retrieved 2017-04-09.