Participants
Irish Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA)
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is an independent public body set up under legislation (EPA Act 1992) with the sponsorship of Department of Environment Heritage and Local Government. Its mission is to promote and implement the highest practicable standards of environmental protection and management that embrace the principles of sustainable and balanced development.
The main responsibilities of the EPA include:
- monitoring and reporting on quality of the environment
- licensing and regulation of large industries, waste disposal operations and large fuel storage installations
- implementation and enforcement of regulations on the use and release of GMOs
- promotion and co-ordination of environmental research
The EPA provides funding for environmental research and development in Ireland with a budget of 32 million euro over the period 2000-2006. The R&D programme is currently funding more than 230 projects in colleges, state research organisations and private companies.
Key research themes in the EPA R&D programme include: biodiversity, water quality, air quality, climate change, waste & resources management, transport, land use & soils and environmental & socio-economics.
Further information can be found on the Irish EPA's Science and Research homepage