Just 10% of Ireland’s historic landfills have been certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over 15 years since the regulations were introduced, despite evidence some are polluting waterways.
The rules are meant to ensure that these old landfills – found in every county in Ireland – are not causing or are likely to cause environmental damage in the future.
But the failure to certify the majority of Ireland’s historic landfills means they are at risk of leaking toxic waste and causing significant environmental pollution to surrounding ecosystems and waterways.
An investigation by The Journal Investigates found that there are over 260 historic landfills left in limbo, many of which have been categorised as high or moderate risk of causing environmental damage.
Conor O’Carroll, Investigative Journalist at The Journal Investigates, has been working on this investigation and he joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more.