Junior Environment Minister Michael Kitt has told an EU forum on contaminated land that shared experience is key.

Addressing the delegates at Dublin Castle, Mr Kitt referred to the shared common goal to protect and build a sustainable future, but also to examine the state of the environment currently.

While stating that Ireland's level of contaminated land sites was at a lower level compared to other EU Member States, the Minister said a framework for dealing with such sites was important.

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The Minister commented on the need to deal with our environmental problems of the past and to use creative thinking to resolve them.

"Co-operation and sharing of both knowledge and experience is a key aspect of this," said Mr Kitt.

The Minister concluded by referring to the Environmental Liability Regulations that will come into effect on 1 April next year, which will give real form and substance to the polluter pays principle.

He expressed the hope that these regulations will result in a "higher degree of environmental protection and minimise the need for enforcement in the future".

(PR/JM)