EPA wants your views on protecting the environment

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced today that it is seeking the views of the public on how it should prioritise activities to protect and improve the environment in Ireland.The public consultation process offers interested parties the opportunity to submit suggestions on the EPA's fourth formal strategy before publication later this year.The EPA's previous strategy 2020 Vision: Protecting and Improving Ireland's Environment, which set out a long-term vision for Ireland's environment up to 2020, outlined six broad environmental goals.While much has changed in the interim, the goals remain valid. The new draft EPA Strategic Plan 2013-2015: Working with others for a Better Environment, sets out the proposed priority actions that the EPA will take between now and the end of 2015 to deliver on its mission of protecting and improving Ireland's environment as a valuable asset for the people of Ireland.Laura Burke, director general of the EPA, said: "We believe that a clean, healthy and well protected environment lies at the heart of economic recovery. Our over-riding priority for the next three years is to keep the environment centre stage and support sustainable economic recovery."We want to hear your views on what should be included in our new strategic plan. I would encourage people to get involved in this consultation process and help shape the future of environmental protection in Ireland."The EPA is also consulting with government departments and other agencies or organisations with an environmental protection function to obtain their views on key priorities and how best they can be implemented effectively through working together. The EPA Strategic Plan 2013-2015 is due to be published in December.The draft <a href="http://www.epa.ie/downloads/consultation/corstrat/"target="-blank">EPA Strategic Plan</a> is available on the EPA website. Those wishing to make suggestions are encouraged to do so by visiting the EPA's website.Submissions by post will be accepted too: these should take up no more than two A4 pages and can be posted directly to:EPA Strategic Plan 2013-2015,EPA Headquarters,PO Box 3000,Johnstown Castle Estate,County Wexford,Ireland.They can also be emailed to strategy@epa.ie.The deadline for submissions is Friday 9 November.