Any attempt by the Government to interfere with the Environmental Protection Agency by diluting it powers in controlling industrial pollution should be "strenuously resisted", the environmental group, VOICE, has said.
Responding to criticism by the employers' representative organisation, IBEC, of the Integrated Pollution Control licensing system operated by the EPA, Father Sean McDonagh of VOICE warned the Minister for the Environment, Mr Dempsey, against being influenced by the demands of industry.
"The apparent endorsement of IBEC's policy by Mr Dempsey is cause of grave concern to those who value Ireland's environment," he added. Father McDonagh questioned how IBEC could square its commitment to sustainable development with its opposition to a tax on non-renewable sources of energy.
