EPA illegal peat extraction report ‘riddled with errors’ says Longford senator

A Longford senator has criticised the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a report which he claims is 'riddled with significant and misleading errors' and claimed they are 'answerable to nobody'.

Last June, the EPA published a report where they stated there was large scale illegal peat extraction taking place at four sites in above 50 hectares in county Longford -an area of more than 200 hectares in total.

Read more: Longford community groups invited to design a postcard garden at Bord Bia Bloom

The independent public body investigated 38 sites across seven counties – Longford, Offaly, Kildare, Laois, Westmeath, Roscommon and Sligo and published its 'Large Scale illegal Peat Extraction in Ireland' report.

The document praised Longford County Council for doing more than any other local authority and issuing enforcement notices but said a lot more could be done nationwide.

The EPA said four large sites had been identified in county Longford with heavy machinery used during industrial type operations and while there is some enforcement activity and some site inspections there is no significant enforcement follow-ups.

However, local Fianna Fáil Senator Joe Flaherty referred to the EPA's report on large-scale illegal peat extraction in recent days in Seanad Éireann where he raised questions about the reports.

"Like many people in rural Ireland, I am increasingly perplexed by the EPA, particularly in the aftermath of the report in question, which is riddled with inconsistencies.

"I am worried that we are relying on the EPA as we try to secure the continuation of our nitrates derogation from the EU.

“I am obliged to ask whether, on the basis of the detail in the report, anyone actually polices the EPA.

"The report covers nine counties.

"It is riddled with significant and misleading errors."

Senator Flaherty said he would focus on the four sites in county Longford so they were mentioned on the basis of an application for information under the European Communities (Access to Information on the Environment) Regulations.

"The site at Coolcraff is owned by Bord na Móna.

"In its report, the EPA said that Bord na Móna has ceased commercial harvesting and that large-scale remediation programmes are under way.

"How can the EPA honestly include this site in a report on large-scale illegal peat harvesting when the inspectors are fully aware that production at the site ceased in 2020?"

Senator Flaherty said the second site at Clooniher and Annaghcooleen comprises a very small area of bog measuring just under five hectares and the site is being used for horticultural peat, with the remainder being used for domestic fuel.

"How can the EPA honestly include an area of just under five hectares as large-scale illegal peat harvesting when its inspectors are fully aware that it covers just five hectares?"

Senator Flaherty said the next site lies across the three townlands of Derrymore, Trillickacurry and Ballymakeegan.
The Lanesboro native said the EPA took legal proceedings against Derrymore Peat Limited in relation to this site in August 2022.

"On foot of that court case, it was proven without doubt that there was no hydrological connection to any other area.
"In her ruling, Judge Owens dismissed all the charges against the defendant in the case.

"Peat in the area is now being harvested by Derrymore Peat, which applied to Longford County Council for a section 5 exemption. "The council subsequently submitted that application to An Bord Pleanála on January 20 last.

Read more: 'Collided with pedestrians' Son of Longfordian critically injured in horror Sydney crash

"We are still awaiting a decision on it.

"EPA inspectors have visited the site on numerous occasions.

"How can the EPA honestly state that this site is being used for large-scale illegal peat harvesting when its inspectors are fully aware that the site is less than 28 hectares in size?"

Senator Flaherty said he welcomed the Minister of State’s response to his questions and he hoped 'to deal with the remaining site when I come back in'.

Minister of State Neale Richmond replied to the comments but said he was constrained in what he could answer.

"The key point to reiterate is that the agency is an independent public body established under the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992.

"As a result, it is entirely independent in the exercise of its functions, including enforcement, under that Act.

"While it would not be appropriate to speak to individual enforcement actions carried out by the agency, the enforcement of legislation that protects our environment should be supported."

Senator Flaherty thanked the Minister of State and added they "have an independent State agency that is seemingly answerable to nobody".