Written answers

Thursday, 25 November 2010

Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government

Departmental Agencies

5:00 pm

Photo of Michael D HigginsMichael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 15: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the Programme for Government commitment that there would be a review of the Environmental Protection Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44415/10]

Photo of John GormleyJohn Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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On foot of a commitment made in the Programme for Government, I initiated a review of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in February 2010.

Under its terms of reference, the Review Group has been asked to review the legislation governing the EPA; assess performance against its mandate and evaluate the scope of that mandate; review the resources allocated to it; assess the structures and governance of the Agency; and assess the relationship between the Agency and other parts of the environmental governance structure in Ireland. The review group members are drawn from a varied background and include environmental, legal, academic, business and agriculture experts. The group also includes former Directors of the EPA and its Dutch counterpart.

A public consultation process in relation to the review was held earlier in 2010 and received over 130 submissions. The review group, as part of its ongoing work programme, has also consulted with a wide range of stakeholders including environmental Non-Governmental Organisations, the Irish Farmers Association, the Irish Business and Employers Confederation, Government Departments and other public bodies, the City and County Managers Association and of course, the EPA itself.

I expect the Review Group to be in a position substantially to conclude its work early in 2011 and to submit its report quickly thereafter. I envisage that the report will be published in due course, following consideration of its conclusions and recommendations.

The EPA plays a key role in monitoring, maintaining and improving Ireland's environmental performance and, accordingly, I attach a high level of importance to the review. Good environmental governance is a key priority for the Government as a whole, in particular as an essential element of sustainable development. The review is also important in the context of the Transforming Public Services agenda and the need for efficiency and effectiveness in a resource constrained environment. The ultimate aim of the review is to strengthen the Agency and I look forward to the finalisation of the Review Group's report. Further details in relation to the review are available on my Department's website at www.environ.ie.

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