The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) carried out 48 inspections at 'unauthorised peat extraction sites' in 2021.

The EPA published its annual summary report on the enforcement activities carried out in 2021 this week, along with the list of sites which were designated a 'National Priority Site' during the year.

The agency says that, despite the ongoing impact of Covid-19, it increased its enforcement activities at the 840 licenced industrial and waste installations throughout Ireland.

The report outlines the main issues at licenced activities during 2021 and what actions the EPA took to enforce environmental conditions at these activities.

Individuals or companies who operate either without an EPA licence or breach that licence were targeted by the EPA for enforcement.

Some of the main facts in the report which the EPA highlighted include:

Commenting on the publication of the annual summary report, Dr. Tom Ryan, director of the EPA’s Office of Environmental Enforcement, said: “The EPA focused its enforcement efforts in 2021 on tackling unauthorised extraction of peat; improving water quality downstream of licenced sites; and the safe and appropriate management of waste.

The EPA simultaneously published the latest National Priority Sites list for 2021. The EPA says it will continue to focus its resources where they are most needed and to ensure compliance at all sites.

These 11 sites are as follows: