Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 500: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will review the fines imposed for environmental damage and liability. [7905/08]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 501: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will make a statement on the review and revision of the role of the Environmental Protection Agency. [7906/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Question Nos. 500 and 501 together.

The Environmental Liability Directive (2004/35/EC) is a major initiative aimed at preventing and remedying environmental damage by giving effect to the polluter pays principle. It aims to do this by holding operators whose activities have caused environmental damage financially liable for remedying this damage. It does not, however, provide for the imposition of fines or other criminal sanctions for causing environmental damage.

There is provision in existing environmental protection codes, such as the Environmental Protection Agency Acts 1992 and 2003 and the Waste Management Acts 1996 to 2003, for significant fines and other sanctions in instances of serious breaches of the code. Such fines may be up to €15 million and may attract a daily fine of €130,000 where the breach continues following conviction.

The Programme for Government includes a commitment to a review of the role, procedures and governing legislation of the Environmental Protection Agency, and includes environmental fines as part of this review. I am considering the form that this review will take.