Saturday, 25 October 2025
Progress by Irish Local Authorities on Environmental Enforcement: EPA 2024 Report Overview The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released its 2024 report on the environmental enforcement performance of local authorities across Ireland, showing significant improvements in enforcement activity and compliance with national priorities. Over the past three years, local authorities have improved their environmental enforcement […]
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released its 2024 report on the environmental enforcement performance of local authorities across Ireland, showing significant improvements in enforcement activity and compliance with national priorities. Over the past three years, local authorities have improved their environmental enforcement performance by 20%, marking substantial progress in safeguarding Ireland’s natural environment.
Environmental enforcement is more than a compliance exercise, it is a cornerstone of sustainable development. Effective enforcement ensures that industries, businesses, and individuals adhere to regulations designed to protect air, water, and land quality. Without consistent oversight, the gains made in areas like waste reduction, biodiversity protection, and pollution control can quickly be undone.
The EPA’s findings demonstrate that environmental laws are only as strong as the systems in place to uphold them. By holding polluters accountable and maintaining public trust in regulation, Ireland’s enforcement efforts safeguard both community well-being and the nation’s natural heritage.
According to the EPA, 79% of the National Enforcement Priority (NEP) assessments conducted in 2024 met the required standards. Across the country, 630 staff members working in 31 local authorities carried out a total of 227,400 environmental inspections last year. They also regulated 10,700 licences, permits, and certificates, responded to 76,500 complaints, carried out 18,050 enforcement actions, and initiated 414 prosecutions.
These figures demonstrate strong progress in enforcing environmental regulations and addressing illegal activities that threaten local ecosystems.
The EPA report recognised six local authorities for achieving high performance scores in 2024:
Meath County Council
Dublin City Council
South Dublin County Council
Kildare County Council
Fingal County Council
Cork City Council
Meanwhile, the five lowest-performing councils were:
Leitrim County Council
Galway City Council
Sligo County Council
Clare County Council
Donegal County Council
The EPA urged all local authorities to prioritise resources toward delivering on the National Enforcement Priorities (NEP), which include improving air and water quality, increasing recycling and re-use, and reducing exposure to transport noise.
The report highlights strong progress in several areas over the past three years, particularly in tackling illegal waste activities and enforcing construction and demolition waste regulations. However, it also calls for greater attention to air, water, and noise enforcement, to ensure full delivery on the National Enforcement Priorities.
Longford County Council successfully utilised CCTV monitoring to combat illegal dumping and littering. A total of 71 incidents were recorded and investigated, resulting in 37 fines and 31 offenders identified through vehicle registrations.
Waterford City and County Council resolved a significant environmental risk by removing silage bales stored inappropriately beside a lake, thereby protecting the local water environment.
These examples demonstrate how proactive enforcement can prevent environmental harm and support cleaner, safer communities.
Environmental protection cannot rely on authorities alone. Community participation plays a vital role. Public reporting of illegal dumping, responsible waste disposal, and involvement in local clean-up campaigns all contribute to the success of enforcement strategies.
Many councils are also using education initiatives, citizen science projects, and awareness campaigns to empower residents to take part in environmental stewardship. When individuals understand their role in protecting their surroundings, compliance becomes a shared community value rather than an imposed regulation.
The EPA emphasised the importance of continued commitment and resourcing for environmental enforcement. Sustained collaboration between the EPA and local authorities will be essential to achieving national environmental goals, particularly in improving air and water quality, reducing waste, and mitigating noise pollution.
By maintaining strong local enforcement and prioritising environmental protection, Ireland can continue to build on recent progress and work towards a healthier, more sustainable environment for future generations.
The EPA’s 2024 report highlights meaningful progress in how Ireland’s local authorities are protecting the environment through stronger enforcement and accountability. While improvements in tackling illegal waste and regulating activities are clear, the findings also underscore the need for sustained focus on water, air, and noise pollution.
By investing in enforcement capacity, embracing technology such as CCTV, and ensuring consistent national standards, Ireland can continue building on these achievements. The collective efforts of local authorities, supported by the EPA, will be crucial in securing cleaner air, safer water, and a more sustainable environment for communities across the country.
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