The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has warned that a number of local authorities are failing to keep pace with national standards for environmental enforcement despite an overall 20 per cent improvement in performance over the past three years.

In its latest review the EPA found that Leitrim, Galway City, Sligo, Clare and Donegal were the lowest performing councils in 2024. While most local authorities showed stronger waste enforcement and better oversight of construction and demolition waste, the five councils were singled out for limited progress in tackling water, air and noise pollution.

Across the country 630 staff working in 31 local authorities carried out more than 227,000 inspections, regulated over 10,000 licences and permits and initiated 414 prosecutions in 2024. Six local authorities, Meath, Dublin City, South Dublin, Kildare, Fingal and Cork City, achieved high performance scores.

Dr Tom Ryan, director of the EPA’s Office of Environmental Enforcement, said strong enforcement was essential to detect pollution and hold offenders to account.

“This report shows that most local authorities are responding to the challenge but some such as Leitrim, Galway City, Sligo, Clare and Donegal are lagging behind and need to do better,” he said. “Keeping up momentum is crucial to protect our environment.”

The EPA said councils continue to devote most of their resources to waste enforcement with less attention paid to air and water quality. It called for increased inspection of farms, trade effluent discharges and solid fuel sales and for greater progress in implementing local Noise Action Plans.

The agency urged the underperforming local authorities to prioritise environmental enforcement to ensure cleaner air and water and a healthier environment for their communities.