Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government has launched the public consultation for Ireland's first National Implementation Report under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (known as the 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 October 2011, is maintained by the Environmental Protection Agency.

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The role of the public, including environmental NGOs, in environmental protection and, in particular the role of effective public participation in improving the quality of decision-making related to the environment, are well recognised. Prior to finalising Ireland's first PRTR National Implementation Report, Minister Hogan encourages members of the public and other parties with an interest in the protection of Ireland's environment to submit comments on the implementation of the PRTR Protocol in Ireland.

(CD/IT)