Written answers

Tuesday, 3 July 2018

Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Environmental Protection Agency Staff

Photo of Pat BuckleyPat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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439. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the director general of the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, was a project manager at a company (details supplied) when first appointed to that body; his views on whether there may be a conflict of interest in view of the role of the company in numerous projects such as the proposed incinerator in Ringaskiddy. [29432/18]

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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I am aware of the Director General's background and note that the employment in question predated her first appointment as a Director of the Environmental Protection Agency in 2004.  While serving as a Director and in response to an open competition, she was appointed Director General of the Agency in 2011.

I am advised that the provisions of Sections 37 and 38 of the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992, as amended, which relate to the declaration and disclosure of interests, are being fully complied with by the Director General. I am also advised that the Director General has not participated in decisions on licence applications for any projects associated with the company she worked for prior to her taking up her appointment with the EPA in 2004.

I, therefore, have no concerns in relation to potential conflicts of interest of the nature suggested in the Question.

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