Terms of reference have been agreed for a new regional enforcement group for peatlands.
Local authorities in Offaly and Westmeath are welcoming the formation of a new regional enforcement authority for peatlands.
It follows an Environmental Protection Agency report published earlier this year citing nine sites in Offaly and eight in Westmeath as engaging in illegal peat extraction.
Chief Executive of Offaly County Council Anna Marie Delaney says terms of reference have been agreed between the local government department and the Department of Housing for the group.
The group would give local authorities the planning, technical and legal expertise necessary to tackle the sites, with a clear outline for site investigation and quarterly meetings.
Ms Delaney says it would give them the tools they need:
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