Environmental Protection Agency (Ireland)


The Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for protecting and improving the environment as a valuable asset for the people of Ireland. It operates independently under the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.

History

The EPA was founded in 1993, following the passing into law of the Environmental Protection Agency Act of 1992. In 2014, it merged with the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, which was itself founded in 1992. The present-day EPA continues the activities of both groups. Any act passed by the Environmental Protection Agency is legally binding upon every citizen in Ireland as it is a statute.

Organisation

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

Offices

There are five offices which answer to the advisory committee.
The EPA operates from a number of sites across the Republic of Ireland. The Headquarters are located in Johnstown Castle Estate, Co. Wexford.
Additional offices are located in: