Illegal peat extraction causing catastrophic damage -EPA

TD: State's "moralising lectures" to peat harvesters

She said the state was subjecting peat harvesters to "moralising lectures" - but the EPA said illegal large-scale extraction of peat is widespread

‘Conspicuous’ lack of law enforcement on illegal large-scale peat extraction

The EPA found that enforcement of environmental requirements by local authorities is ‘patently inadequate’.

Illegal peat harvesting is still taking place on a large scale, EPA report finds

Local authority enforcement is ‘patently inadequate’, with equipment and warehouses on some sites

‘Destroyed for profit’ – EPA criticises county councils over illegal peat extraction

The illegal destruction of the countryside to fund a multi-million euro export trade is widespread and well-documented but officials are failing to stop it.

Illegal peat extraction causing catastrophic damage -EPA

The large-scale, illegal commercial extraction of peat is widespread in Ireland and the sector does not operate within planning or environmental laws.

Chief executives of local authorities must be held to account for failing to clamp down on illegal peat extraction

The chief executives of Ireland’s local authorities must be hauled into a meeting by the Minister for the Environment and read the riot act for failing to clamp down on illegal commercial peat extractors, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate and environment, said: “A report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has laid bare the extent of large-scale peat extract…