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Environment

Air

Air Emission Licences 

Mayo County Council issue Air Emission Licences for activities listed under Schedule 3 of the Air Pollution Act, 1987.  

Air Emission Licence Appeals

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for processing Air Pollution Act licence appeals. For further information in relation to these appeals, and the appropriate fee payable, please refer to Air Pollution Appeals section on the EPA website at the following link http://www.epa.ie/licensing/air/actappeals/. 

National Air Quality Monitoring Programme 

The Environmental Protection Agency manages the National Ambient Air Quality Network. Air quality monitoring assessments are made at the following locations in Co. Mayo. 

Air Quality Monitoring in Castlebar, Co. Mayo 

Air Quality Monitoring in Claremorris, Co. Mayo 

Smoke Free Zones 

In December 2019 it was announced that the town population size to which Solid Fuel Regulations would apply for the marketing, distribution, sale or use of smoky coal, would be reduced to 10,000.  

In Mayo this will apply to the towns of Ballina and Castlebar from 1st September 2020. These regulations were brought in for the protection of human health and should have a noticeable effect. The full details of the areas involved and the legislation required is now in place.  

The Environmental Enforcement Team will enforce these regulations.

Please see updated maps of the Castlebar and Ballina Low Smoke Zones, relevant FAQ's and check out an interactive map HERE

Please note, these regulations do not currently apply to the burning of dry timber or peat for home heating purposes.

Mayo County Council would encourage all those using solid fuel to heat their homes to consider using certified smokeless products to improve air quality in the county for the benefit of human health.

Deco Paints (Vehicle Refinishers) 

The Limitation of Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds due to the Use of Organic Solvents in Certain Paints, Varnishes and Vehicle Refinishing Products Regulations (referred to as the Deco Paints Regulations) were introduced in May 2007. 

It is an offence to operate a vehicle refinishing installation without a current Certificate of Compliance, which is issued by your Local Authority, following a report from an Approved Assessor. 

The Environmental Enforcement Team carry out inspections in relation to these regulations and can issue fines or initiate prosecutions on those not compliant. 

Further information is available here  

  • An application form for Vehicle Refinishers is available here (PDF HERE) 
  • Best Practice Guidelines for Vehicle Refinishing for Repair Installations can be found here (Include link to Best Practice Guidelines for Vehicle refinishing) 
  • Councils create and maintain a register of commercial businesses operating within their area who carry out spray painting and vehicle refinishing on their premises. This register is available for public viewing here (Include link to Register of Vehicle Refinishers) 

Solvent Regulations (Dry Cleaners) 

The Solvent Regulations were update in 2012. This legislation requires Irish business, which use solvents or solvent containing materials as part of their operation, to obtain a Certificate of Compliance from their Local Authority. 

The Environmental Enforcement Team carry out inspections in relation to these regulations and can issue fines or initiate prosecutions on those not compliant. 

Further information is available here 

  • An Application Form for Dry Cleaners is available here (PDF HERE) 
  • Best practice Guide for Dry Cleaners 
  • Councils create and maintain a register of commercial businesses operating within their area who carry out spray painting and vehicle refinishing on their premises. This register is available for public viewing here (Include link to Register of Dry Cleaners) 
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