Denis Landy (Labour) | Oireachtas source

They raised three cases in Limerick, Clare and Portlaoise involving the EPA in which it has failed dismally to act as the environmental watchdog of the State and the citizen.

Coming from County Louth and the issues concerning Sellafield, I accept no one is better versed and experienced with environmental issues than the Minister of State. It is important, however, his endorsement stands up. It certainly would not stand up against the evidence put on the record here last night about the three cases in Limerick, Clare and Portlaoise. When the Minister of State becomes the senior Minister in the Department, he must personally take an interest in these cases. In fairness to the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan, he said last night he had called for a specific investigation into the Enva plant issue in Portlaoise and for the report, when completed, to be brought to the new Minister’s attention. Based on the evidence I heard here last night, I do not believe there is transparency in the way the EPA is carrying out its work, however.