It follows a new EPA report released on peat milling this morning.
The EPA should be supporting county councils instead of threatening to bring them to court.
That's what Offaly's newly installed Cathaoirleach John Leahy is saying after the State agency branded the actions of local authorities in relation to illegal large scale peat extraction as 'patently inadequate'.
A new report from the Environmental Protection Agency says catastrophic damage is being done natural environments across the midlands due to intensive, industrial scale peat milling.
300,000 tonnes of peat is being exported to a value of around €40m every year.
Independent rep John Leahy says it would be better if the EPA supported county councils instead of persecuting them:
The EPA believes county councils have all the tools they need to enforce environmental laws around illegal peat extraction.
Director of the EPA's Office of Environmental Enforcement, Dr Tom Ryan, says the ball is in the council's court:
Unmarked Grave Campaign Group Call For Meeting with Taosieach
Court Hears Man Who Killed Father In Laois Hotel Believed He Was Attacking Imposter
Former Detective Demands Higher Gardai Numbers For Community Policing
Aontú Publish New Flood Forecasting Bill
Retired Westmeath Chief Fire Officer Calls For Re-Examining of Beep Test
Laois Actor Settling Roots In West Cork
Local Authorities Will Be Held Accountable On Windfarm Judgement - Eamon Ryan
ODVSS Back NWC Calls To Remove Domestic Abuse Perpetrators From Homes
Fate Of Former Westmeath IPAS Centre In Hands Of OPW - Aengus O'Rourke
Garda ‘Go Safe’ Camera To Be Installed at Midlands Railway Station
Taoiseach Acknowledges Frustration As Laois Refuge Centre Stalls
Westmeath Comedian Shares Journey From Diet Culture To New Stand-Up Show
Offaly IFA Raises Alarm Over Brazilian Beef Imports Row
Westmeath Town To Hold First TEDx Event
Over €20k Raised For Family Of Midlands Nurse After Sudden Passing
Fast Track Citizenship Proposed For Immigrants Serving In Defence Forces
Gardaí Investigating Spate Of Laois Thefts
Westmeath Councillor Wants Short Term Let Planning Exemptions For Self Caterers
Plans For 27-Acre Midlands Soccer Facility Rejected
Laois Senator Rails Against Rent Pressure Zone Legislation