The European Commission has announced it will take Ireland to the European Court of Justice over continued breaches of the EU Groundwater Directive.
The EU has also issued warnings to Ireland on breaches of other environmental directives in relation to waste management and the protection of birds.
Announcing the action yesterday, the Commission office in Dublin said the Groundwater Directive action followed the investigation of three complaints concerning failure to properly investigate and authorise groundwater discharges.
The complaints relate to a landfill site at Avoca, Co Wicklow, an animal burial ground in Ballinrobe, Co Mayo, and a hotel at Creakan Lower, New Ross, Co Wexford.
The investigation showed that no groundwater authorisation had been given for the animal burial ground, that the wastewater disposal at Creakan Lower had been operational for several years without authorisation, and that the Irish Environmental Protection Agency had failed to properly ensure groundwater protection at Avoca. Ireland also interprets the directive incorrectly, according to the Commission, and fails to provide for groundwater investigation and authorisation in all the circumstances required by EU law.
The Commission also sent Ireland a final written warning for failing to bring its legislation into line with the Framework Waste Directive in relation to urban waste water treatment plants. Specifically, it said Ireland did not submit the treatment plants to the system of permits required by the directive. The system allows odours from the plants to be controlled.
The Commission has now sent Ireland three warnings on its failure to comply with the Wild Birds and Habitats Directives.
This includes the failure to meet obligations under the Wild Birds Directive to protect the habitats of rare and endangered species such as the Corncrake, the Chough and the Hen Harrier.
Ireland has the second-smallest network of special protection areas (SPAs) designated in the EU.
The Commission is likely to seek financial penalties against the State for its failures.