Public Consultation on the Implementation of the UNECE Aarhus Convention and PRTR Protocol in Ireland

Article 10 of the Aarhus Convention requires the Meeting of the Parties to continuously review the implementation of the Aarhus Convention through regular National Implementation Reports. We submitted our first National Implementation Report in December 2013 and our second in January 2017. We also submitted National Implementation Reports on the Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) Protocol in 2014 and 2017.

The purpose of this consultation is for us to provide the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the Aarhus Convention Secretariat, and the Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee with the widest possible range of views and opinions on issues related to the implementation of, and practical arrangements for the promotion of, the Aarhus Convention and PRTR Protocol in Ireland.

The outcome of this consultation will feed into the work being carried out by the Aarhus Convention and PRTR Meeting of the Parties, inform the effective implementation of the Aarhus Convention and PRTR Protocol, and influence wider policy development.

A synthesis report for each session of the Meeting of the Parties summarising the progress made and identifying significant trends, challenges and solutions will be prepared on the basis of the National Implementation Reports.

Draft versions of the next National Implementation Reports have been prepared and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) is now inviting comments on them.

Closing date for submissions is 5pm Thursday 21 January 2021

Email: environmentpolicy@decc.gov.ie

Post: Aarhus, Climate Adaptation and Citizen Engagement Division

Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications

Newtown Road

Wexford

Y35 AP90

Please note two versions of each draft report are provided – one with changes from the previous version visible as tracked changes, and a second clean document.

Responses to this consultation are subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2014 and the European Communities (Access to Information on the Environment) Regulations 2007-2018. It is proposed to publish all submissions received on the website of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.

By responding to the consultation, respondents consent to their name being published online with the submission. The Department will redact personal addresses and personal email addresses prior to publication. We would draw attention to the Department's Privacy statement:

‘The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications requires responders to provide certain personal data in order to provide services and carry out the functions of the Department. Your personal data may be exchanged with other Government Departments and Agencies in certain circumstances, where lawful".

Full details can be found in our Data Privacy Notice.

Group Submissions

Individual Submissions