From a press release by the Environmental Pillar, 24 August 2013:
The Environmental Pillar, a coalition of 26 national environmental groups, welcomes the launch of a public consultation about the way in which the Government reports the location and movement of Ireland’s hazardous waste and emissions.
As a signatory to the Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (the PRTR Protocol), Ireland is required to maintain publicly-accessible registers of emissions from industrial facilities engaged in environmentally hazardous activities. The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government has prepared a draft of its first National Implementation Report to outline the implementation of the PRTR Protocol in Ireland. The Department is now inviting feedback on the draft Report.
‘We welcome any move to increase public access to information and public participation in environmental decision-making,’ said Michael Ewing, spokesperson for the Environmental Pillar. ‘So if you have something to say about the way Ireland monitors pollution produced by industrial facilities, now is the time to speak up.
‘Protect yourself and your family by checking out the industrial facilities near you and then let the Department know whether you think the information there is sufficient, easy to find and easy to understand.
You can search the Register at http://prtr.epa.ie.
The public consultation period ends at 5pm on Friday 18 October 2013. Details are available at http://www.environ.ie/en/Environment/UNECEProtocolonPRTRsPublicConsultation/
Notes:
- The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (known as the PRTR Protocol) was created to enhance public access to information through the establishment of coherent, nationwide pollutant release and transfer registers (PRTRs). More information is available at http://www.unece.org/env/pp/prtr.html
- Ireland’s Pollutant Release and Transfer Register is available at http://prtr.epa.ie
