Overview
- The European Commission referred Ireland to the Court of Justice of the European Union on Thursday after concluding enforcement of the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive was insufficient.
- Brussels says there is still significant peat cutting, especially on sites under 50 hectares, that has not been subject to planning permission or environmental impact assessments.
- Ireland has taken steps since 2020 to stop industrial cutting by state operator Bord na Móna and to rehabilitate former industrial sites with EU funding.
- The Irish EPA has enforced rules on larger commercial peat sites over 50 hectares and forced some operators to stop, but the government says enforcement of smaller sites is mainly the responsibility of local county councils.
- The ECJ referral can lead to a binding court ruling and possible fines if Ireland is found non‑compliant, a politically sensitive move as Ireland prepares to hold the EU Council presidency in July.