In Ireland, facilites that could harm the environment must obtain industrial and waste licences from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to operate legally.
These licences come with strict conditions and are enforced by regular, unannounced inspections.
In this article, we’ll break down the EPA’s latest “Industrial and Waste Licence Enforcement Summary” and what it reveals about compliance across the country.
Table of Contents
Facilities With Industrial and Waste Licences
As of 2024, there are 905 EPA licences in place across Ireland. These industrial and waste licences cover facilities that, if mismanaged, could seriously harm the environment or public health – such as:
- Factories: Food production, chemicals, cement manufacturing
- Waste facilities: Landfills, recycling centres, waste transfer stations
- Energy sites: Power plants, fuel storage depots
- Large-scale farming: Particularly pig and poultry farms
These sites are considered high-risk and need close oversight to ensure they aren’t polluting the air, water, or land.
EPA Inspections
To keep standards high, the EPA conducted 1,309 inspections at sites with industrial and waste licences in 2024 – 96% were unannounced. This surprise element helps the EPA understand how facilities are run on an average day, not just when they expect a visit.
Of these inspections, 37% focused on monitoring air quality or water/effluent discharges, both key areas for pollution risk.
Complaints from the Public
The EPA received 809 public complaints in 2024, relating to these sites with industrial and waste licences. The vast majority (about 90%) were about odours and noise. These issues may not always grab headlines, but they significantly impact the quality of life for nearby communities.
Notably, the Food & Drink Sector was responsible for 58% of all complaints. This suggests that stronger controls or better infrastructure may be needed in this area.
Spotlight on Water Pollution
Water pollution remains a serious concern. Protecting Ireland’s water sources is a top priority, especially as clean water is essential for public health, farming, and biodiversity.
As a result, the EPA developed site-specific enforcement plans for facilities posing risks to water quality. In 2024, 41 licensed sites remained on the EPA’s Significant Pressures List:
- 14 sites were impacting surface water
- 24 sites were affecting groundwater
- 3 sites were harming both types of water bodies
National Priority Sites: Worst Offenders
The EPA uses a National Priority Sites (NPS) system to rank facilities with industrial and waste licences based on environmental performance and compliance. The ranking is based on four key indicators:
- Complaints
- Incidents
- Non-compliances
- Investigations
Since this list was first introduced in 2017, 54 sites have appeared on it. Most of them come from the Food & Drink and Waste sectors.
In 2024 alone, 10 sites were identified as National Priority Sites. Of the 10 sites, 9 have faced legal action or have prosecutions pending.
Legal Actions & Penalties
In 2024, the EPA concluded eight court cases: 7 in the District Court and 1 in the Circuit Court. These cases led to fines totalling €29,500 and costs of €145,300 awarded to the EPA.
The sectors prosecuted included:
- Food & Drink
- Intensive Agriculture
- Surface Coating
- Waste Transfer
Aside from these, two other high-profile cases stood out. A waste disposal company in Kerry was fined €500,000, while a dairy ingredients manufacturer in the northwest was fined €350,000.
A Message from the EPA
Dr. Tom Ryan, Director of the EPA’s Office of Environmental Enforcement, emphasised the importance of accountability:
“These convictions and the substantial fines imposed are an important endorsement of the ‘polluter pays’ principle. With proper investment and commitment to environmental protection, all sites can comply and be good neighbours.”
On compliance with industrial and waste licences, he added:
“Companies that fail to respect their licence conditions, cause nuisance to neighbours and put the environment at risk will be held to account by the EPA.”
How Southern Scientific Can Help
At Southern Scientific, we understand the challenges that come with environmental compliance – and we’re here to help. With over 30 years of experience and ISO-accredited services, we provide:
- Expert consultancy on Irish and EU environmental regulations
- Tailored compliance strategies for your sector
- Specialised environmental monitoring: water, air, soil, noise, waste, and effluent
Whether you’re aiming to maintain your industrial and waste licences or avoid costly penalties, our team can guide you every step of the way. Don’t wait until regulators knock at your door. Stay ahead of the game with expert help.
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