Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Today's debate centres around two instances where private companies are seen to damage or potentially damage the environment and it appears that nothing can be done about it. These are only two cases in a wider trend whereby the Government is not willing to tackle the activities of some companies. These are not isolated cases. For example, almost 1,200 people a year are dying as a result of air pollution, yet the Government will still not introduce a nationwide ban on smoky coal. The EPA wants such a ban, the Government claims it wants it, and even some Irish coal producers want it but it is not happening because the Government is afraid of legal threats from outside the State. That is not good enough.

Unpublished research by the HSE and EPA has warned that where poor air quality is recorded, it has an affect on cardiac arrhythmia and asthma and causes a deterioration in COPD and related illnesses. Despite these findings, this trend continues. The issue of unregulated quarries which the motion seeks to address is much the same. Despite enforcement actions by local authorities and An Taisce, legal actions and convictions, some unauthorised quarry operators have continued blasting and extraction. They appear to be able to act as a law unto themselves, even in special areas of conservation.

We need to understand, before even more of our habitat is destroyed, why the mechanisms in place to block these operations are not working.

As a party we have put forward several constructive proposals to deal with the small number of commercial operators working in an environmentally damaging manner. These measures include strengthening the Environmental Protection Agency and reviewing the mechanism by which so many illegal quarries have been able to continue to operate with impunity, as well as encouraging the reduction of waste. The Government has shown itself on a number of occasions to be afraid of tackling companies engaged in environmentally harmful activities. As I said, along with these matters, a nationwide ban on smoky coal has been stalled because of an apparent legal threat. Instead of real action, the Government has put forward unworkable proposals around many issues and it is not seeking to address the core problem with smoky coal.

One in eight quarries across Ireland operates without planning approval according to a recent survey by RTÉ. It found the quarries are able to challenge the system of regulation through constant appeals and judicial review applications to the High Court while continuing to profit from illegal activities. Despite the actions of others, including environmental groups, the enforcement regime is not working and there is a hands-off approach from the Government. Due to the length of time it takes to go through the process, these operations will continue to extract material, expand their work and blast the countryside without permission. It has also emerged that some councils are also customers of these quarries, which is a total contradiction and a worrying development when it comes to enforcement. There is an example in the Minister of State's county. An urgent review is required, particularly with quarrying operations in special areas of conservation.

This simply would not be allowed in other industries. A restaurant could not continue to operate in these circumstances but we allow people to carry out blasting nonetheless. It is absolute madness and there seem to be different rules for some businesses over individuals. We are entering a period of significant change as we seek to meet climate change and biodiversity commitments. It is undeniable that many people will have to change their behaviour. Some will face job losses and retraining, as we have seen in the midlands, and businesses will have to change to focus their activities on something more sustainable. Others will refit and improve homes. We know this process must work, because if it does not, there is no alternative. We cannot allow some of these businesses to continue their operations with total impunity and disregard for the State. The fact that local authorities and enforcement procedures are being ignored is simply unacceptable. The message is loud and clear that tackling this challenge is for some and not for all. If that message is allowed to fester, it will lead to more division and delay, and it could ultimately lead to a failure to deliver on our 2030 and 2050 climate targets.

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