IRISH ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION

These Regulations amend and replace the Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations 2001 and set out procedures for the making of permit applications, public consultation, consideration by local authorities of submissions in relation to permit applications, and the grant, refusal and review of collection permits by local authorities.

This Order prescribes the licence fees to be payable from 1 January 2008 in respect of salmon commercial fishing licences including a salmon conservation levy equivalent to 50% of the licence fee. The proceeds of this levy will be invested in wild salmon management initiatives designed to rehabilitate wild salmon stocks and habitats. The Order also prescribes the licence fees to be payable in respect of eel and oyster commercial fishing licences and salmon, eel and molluscan shellfish dealersô licences issued or renewed for a period commencing on or after 1 January 2008.

These Regulations replace the Waste Management (Packaging) Regulations 2003 as amended by the Waste Management (Packaging) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 and the Waste Management (Packaging) (Amendment) Regulations 2006 and are designed to promote the recovery and recycling of packaging waste. They are intended, in particular, to facilitate the achievement of the targets for the recovery of packaging waste established by Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste as amended by European Parliament and Council Directive 2004/12/EC of 11 February 2004 amending Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste, so that by 31st December 2008: (a) a minimum of 60% of packaging waste by weight is recovered; and (b) a minimum of 55% of packaging waste by weight is recycled in total, including material specific recycling targets as follows: (i) 60% by weight for glass, (ii) 60% by weight for paper and board, (iii) 50% by weight for metals, (iv) 22.5% by weight for plastics, and (v) 15% by weight for wood. The Regulations impose obligations on producers who supply packaging (i.e. packaging material, packaging or packaged products) to the Irish market. An exemption from certain obligations is available to major producers who participate in a packaging waste recovery scheme operated by an approved body. The Regulations provide that a producer may not supply packaging or packaged products to the Irish market unless the packaging concerned complies with specified essential requirements as to its nature and composition. The Regulations also provide for limits on the concentration levels of certain heavy metals in packaging.

S.I. No. 788/2007 - Sea Pollution (Prevention of Oil Pollution) Regulations 2007

S.I. No. 707/2007 - Sea Fisheries, foreshore and Dumping at Sea (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2007

The effect of these Regulations is to provide for a ban on the taking of Cockles by fishing boats or harvesting by any other means except by hand raking for private consumption (i.e. non commercial sale) in Dundalk Bay.

These Regulations amend the European Communities (Natural Mineral Waters, Spring Waters and Other Waters in Bottles or Containers) Regulations 2007 ( S.I. No. 225 of 2007 ). These Regulations may be cited as the European Communities (Natural Mineral Waters, Spring Waters and Other Waters in Bottles or Containers) (Amendment) Regulations 2007.

These Regulations transpose into Irish law the provisions of Council Regulation (EC) No 811/2004 establishing measures for the recovery of the Northern hake stock. It determines notification arrangements (4 hours advance notification required) and designated ports for the landing of quantities of hake in excess of 2 tonnes.