IRISH ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION

The order establishes part of the lands situate in the townland of Garryland, Co. Galway as a nature reserve so that it can be managed in such a way as to ensure the conservation of the woodland ecosystem which it constitutes.

This order establishes part of the lands situate in the townlands of Coole Demesne, Garryland and Doonowen, Co. Galway, as a nature reserve so that it can be managed in such a way as to ensure the conservation of the woodland and lake ecosystems which it constitutes.

These Regulations amend the European Communities (Vehicle Testing) Regulations 1981 to provide (a) that in the case of taxis, the existence of a public service vehicle licence granted by the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána will suffice in lieu of a Certificate of Roadworthiness and (b) the period of currency of a Certificate of Roadworthiness will be 12 months from the date of test.

This Order provides that on and after 31st December, 1982, fishery year means a period which is co-extensive with the calendar year. In conjunction with the alteration of the meaning of fishery year the Order prescribes that:

(i) the fishery rate must be struck between 1st December preceding the commencement of the fishery year concerned and 31st January next following, and
(ii) the dates by which the first and second moieties of fishery rates are due to be paid are 1st May and 1st September, respectively.

The Order also provides for a transitional period, viz. 1st October, 1982, to 31st December, 1982, and for the striking of a fishery rate for that period which rate is due to be paid in one amount by 1st May, 1983.

These Regulations give effect to Article 6 of the EEC Council Directive No. 79/409 of 2 April, 1979 (O.J. No. L103/1, 25.4.79), by prohibiting, in the interest of conservation, the sale, transport for sale, keeping for sale and offering for sale of two species of wild bird, namely, the Gadwall and Goldeneye, which may be hunted under the present Open Seasons Order.

The provisions of these Regulations relate to procedural matters such as the "fine-on-the-spot" notice for litter offences; notice relating to the removal of abandoned vehicles; notices requiring action to be taken in relation to flyposting, graffiti, slogan-writing and, in particular circumstances, vehicles and certain articles; the disposal of moneys accruing to local authorities and other miscellaneous matters under the Litter Act, 1982 .

These Regulations give effect to the Council Directive of 20th March 1978 (78/319/EEC) on toxic and dangerous waste. In the Regulations "toxic and dangerous waste" has the same meaning as in the Directive, namely, "any waste containing or contaminated by the substances and materials listed in the Annex to the Directive of such a nature, in such quantities or in such concentrations as to constitute a risk to health or the environment". These substances and materials are

Arsenic; arsenic compounds

Mercury; mercury compounds

Cadmium; cadmium compounds

Thallium; thallium compounds

Beryllium; beryllium compounds

Chrome 6 compounds

Lead; lead compounds

Antimony; antimony compounds

Phenols; phenol compounds

Cyanides, organic and inorganic

Isocyanates

Chlorinated solvents

Organic-halogen compounds, excluding inert polymeric materials and other substances referred to in this list or covered by other Directives concerning the disposal of toxic or dangerous waste

Organic solvents

Biocides and phyto-pharmaceutical substances

Tarry materials from refining and tar residues from distilling

Pharmaceutical compounds

Peroxides, chlorates, perchlorates and azides

Ethers

Chemical laboratory materials, not identifiable and/or new, whose effects on the environment are not known

Asbestos (dust and fibres)

Selenium; selenium compounds

Tellurium; tellurium compounds

Aromatic polycyclic compounds (with carcinogenic effects)

Metal carbonyls

Soluble copper compounds

Acids and/or basic substances used in the surface treatment and finishing of metal

The Regulations do not, apply to wastes of certain kinds (as listed in article 12) which are excluded from the scope of the relevant directive by article 3 thereof.

The Regulations designate the local authorities responsible for the planning, organisation, and supervision of operations for the disposal of toxic and dangerous waste in their areas and the authorisation of the storage, treatment and depositing of such waste. The Regulations also require those authorities to draw up plans entitled "special waste plans" for the safe disposal of toxic and dangerous waste. Any person storing, treating or depositing toxic and dangerous waste must have a permit from the appropriate local authority and may store, treat and deposit such waste only in such a manner as will not contravene the terms of the permit. Persons not holding a permit who are producers or holders of toxic and dangerous waste are required to have such waste stored, treated or deposited as soon as possible by a person holding an appropriate permit. Requirements are laid down in relation to the handling, storage and disposal of toxic and dangerous waste. The Regulations also require holders of permits and any persons producing, holding, transporting, treating or disposing of toxic and dangerous waste to maintain a register of such operations.

Persons transporting toxic and dangerous waste must ensure that it is accompanied by a consignment note in a prescribed form containing details of the waste. Consignment notes must be dealt with in accordance with procedures laid down in the Regulations. "Authorised persons", i.e., persons appointed for the purposes of the Regulations by the Minister for the Environment or by the local authority, are given powers of inspection and examination in connection with the enforcement of the Regulations.

Conviction of an offence under the Regulations renders a person liable to a fine not exceeding 1,000 or imprisonment for not more than six months or both

The effect of this Order is to continue the prohibition on the hunting of the Greenland White-fronted Goose, in the interest of conservation, until the end of the current season viz. 31 January, 1982.