Environmental Protection Agency (Ireland) Explained

Agency Name:	Environmental Protection Agency
Nativename:	Irish: An Ghníomhaireacht um Chaomhnú Comhshaoil
Jurisdiction:	Government of Ireland
Coordinates:	52.2959°N -6.5014°W
Headquarters:	Johnstown Castle, Wexford, Y35 W821, Ireland
Employees:	350+
Budget:	€72.85 million (2018)
Chief1 Name:	Laura Burke
Chief1 Position:	(Director General)

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for protecting and improving the environment as a valuable asset for the people of Ireland. It operates independently under the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.^[1]

History

The EPA was founded in 1993, following the enactment of the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992.^{[2] [3]} In 2014, it merged with the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, which was itself founded in 1992.^{[4] [5]} The present-day EPA continues the activities of both groups.^[6]

Organisation

The EPA operates independently under the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. It is led by an advisory committee headed by a director general. The current director general, Laura Burke, was appointed in 2011.^[7]

Offices

There are five offices which answer to the advisory committee.^[8]

• The Office of Environmental Enforcement is responsible for implementing and enforcing environmental legislation.^[9]
• The Office of Environmental Sustainability is responsible for advocating for environmental protection and sustainability, with a goal in particular to meet Ireland's multiple environmental commitments.^[10]
• The Office of Evidence and Assessment is responsible for providing environmental data, information and assessment.^[11]
• The Office of Radiation Protection and Environmental Monitoring - responsible for ensuring that the public is protected from the effects of harmful ionizing radiation.^[12]
• The Office of Communications and Corporate Services - responsible for providing support for all staff across the EPA.^[13]

Sites

The EPA operates from a number of sites across Ireland. The Headquarters are located in Johnstown Castle Estate, County Wexford.

Additional offices are located in:^[14]

• Dublin
• Inniscarra, County Cork
• Castlebar, County Mayo
• Monaghan
• Kilkenny
• Athlone, County Westmeath
• Limerick

See also

• Conservation biology
• Ecology
• Environmental protection
• Habitat conservation
• Natural environment
• Natural capital
• Natural resource
• Renewable resource
• Sustainable development
• Sustainability

External links

• Environmental Protection Agency - Ireland

Notes and References

1. Joint Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services . 2017-02-15 . The Role of EPA in Regulation of Public Water Services . 2 . 2017-04-10.
2. April 2010 . Review of the Environmental Protection Agency - Consultation Document . 1 . 2017-04-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170411054949/http://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/migrated-files/en/Publications/Environment/Miscellaneous/FileDownLoad%2C22728%2Cen.pdf . 2017-04-11 . dead .
3. Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992 . 7 . en . 23 April 1992 . 2017-04-09.
4. Web site: Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII). (EPA). Environmental Protection Agency. www.epa.ie. en. 2017-04-09.
5. Web site: Merger of State agencies EPA and RPII Inshore Ireland. Mills. Gillian. www.inshore-ireland.com. en-gb. 2014-08-01. https://web.archive.org/web/20180920011438/http://www.inshore-ireland.com/News/merger-of-state-agencies-epa-and-rpii.html. 2017-04-10. 2018-09-20.
6. Web site: EPA and RPII to Merge. (EPA). Environmental Protection Agency. www.epa.ie. en. 2017-04-09.
7. Web site: Laura Burke. (EPA). Environmental Protection Agency. www.epa.ie. en. 9 April 2017.
8. Web site: Our Organisational Structure. (EPA). Environmental Protection Agency. www.epa.ie. en. 2017-04-09.
9. Web site: Office of Environmental Sustainability (OES). (EPA). Environmental Protection Agency. www.epa.ie. en. 2017-04-09.
10. Web site: Office of Environmental Enforcement. (EPA). Environmental Protection Agency. www.epa.ie. en. 2017-04-09.
11. Web site: Office of Evidence and Assessment (OEA). (EPA). Environmental Protection Agency. www.epa.ie. en. 2017-04-09.
12. Web site: Office of Radiation Protection and Environmental Monitoring. (EPA). Environmental Protection Agency. www.epa.ie. en. 2017-04-09.
13. Web site: Office of Communications and Corporate Services. (EPA). Environmental Protection Agency. www.epa.ie. en. 2017-04-09.
14. Web site: Contact Us - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA. (EPA). Environmental Protection Agency. www.epa.ie. en. 2017-04-09.