118. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if a full Government investigation will take place into the water and air quality in, around and downstream of a plant (details supplied); if an investigation into the reason the EPA has not suspended or revoked the licence in the face of this severe and consistent non-compliance will also be investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60826/26]

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as a body under the aegis of my Department, undertakes a range of regulatory tasks relating to the licensing, permitting, consenting or certification of activities that could have an impact on the environment or on human health.

A key aspect of the EPA's establishing legislation was that it is entirely independent of the Minister in the exercise of its functions.

Under Section 86 of the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992, the EPA have considerable scope to attach conditions to a licence to protect human health and the environment. In addition, under Section 83(5)(a)(v) of the EPA Act 1992, the EPA must be satisfied in issuing a licence that it does not cause “significant environmental pollution” and is required to take the risk of such pollution into account before issuing any licence.

In my role as Minister, I am prohibited by the provisions of Section 79(3) Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992 from exercising any power or control in relation to functions assigned to the agency.

As the Deputy may be aware, for any queries appropriate to the EPA, arrangements have been put in place by EPA to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas who may contact the EPA directly at oireachtasqueries@epa.ie.

Furthermore, the EPA has a customer charter available at the following link: www.epa.ie/publications/corporate/governance/EPA_Customer_Charter_2024.pdf.

The matter may also be submitted to the Quality Customer Service Officer at the following address: Quality Customer Service Officer, EPA, PO Box 3000, Johnstown Castle Estate, Co Wexford.

It can also be sent by email to: qcsofficer@epa.ie.