Midlands sites were highlighted for illegal peat extraction.
There's calls for enhanced powers to help the Environmental Protection Agency tackle illegal peat extraction in Ireland.
The European Commission is referring Ireland to the European Court of Justice for failure to comply with EU rules on environmental impact assessments.
Last year an EPA report cited nine sites in Offaly and eight in Westmeath for engaging in illegal peat extraction.
An EPA licence is required for the extraction of peat from sites of more than 50 hectares.
Tristram Whyte from the Irish Peatland Conservation Council hopes the government will improve on its enforcement measures:
Climate and Science Correspondent for The Irish Times, Caroline O'Doherty says local authorities have failed to enforce measures on smaller sites:
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