The Department of Climate, Environment, Energy have just launched the public consultation on Ireland’s implementation of the Aarhus Convention and the Pollutant Release Transfer Register (PRTR) Protocol available here.

Aarhus Convention

The Aarhus Convention lays down a set of basic rules to promote citizen’s involvement in environmental matters and improve enforcement of environmental law.

Its provisions are broken down into three Pillars: Access to Information on the Environment, Public Participation in Environmental Decision-making and Access to Justice.

Ireland ratified the Aarhus Convention on 20th June 2012.

PRTR Protocol

The PRTR Protocol seeks to reduce the burden of pollution and waste by establishing publicly accessible national pollutant registers. The Protocol requires each of its Parties to establish and maintain a publicly accessible national PRTR that meets certain requirements which are set out

in the Protocol. The Irish PRTR, which was launched in 2007, is maintained by the Environmental Protection Agency and is available at  https://www.epa.ie/our-services/compliance–enforcement/whats-happening/pollutant-release-and-transfer-register/

Comments on the draft document should be submitted by email or received by post no later than 5.30pm on 7th April 2025.

Email: Aarhus-decc@decc.gov.ie or Post:

The Aarhus Unit,

Department of Climate, Environment and Energy,

Tom Johnston House,

Haddington Road,