Implementation of Environmental Policy in Ireland: Lessons from Translating Eu Directives into Action

This book explores the response of Ireland's political-administrative system to the implementation of environmental directives in waste management, water reform, and biodiversity, highlighting the challenges of a small EU member state with weak environmental governance. It concludes that Ireland's implementation performance is influenced by low issue salience and structural problems in the public administration system.

Format: Hardback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 22 May 2019
Publisher: Manchester University Press

This comprehensive book delves into the intricate response of Ireland's political-administrative system to the implementation of environmental directives in the domains of waste management, water reform, and biodiversity conservation. Ireland serves as a poignant case study, highlighting the challenges faced by a small EU member state with a relatively weak background in environmental governance, as it strives to navigate the complexities of enforcing environmental regulations. Drawing upon a theoretical framework rooted in traditional implementation analysis and enriched by insights from the Europeanization literature, the book meticulously traces the implementation process across three key directives.

The central finding of this study emerges as a compelling conclusion: Ireland's implementation performance in waste management, water, and nature conservation is significantly shaped by the low issue salience of environmental policy and the urgent need to address structural issues within the public administration system to effectively implement EU legislation. This insightful analysis sheds light on the complex dynamics at play, underscoring the pivotal role of policy framing, public engagement, and administrative capacity in shaping the outcomes of environmental policy implementation.

With its relevance to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6, which aims to ensure clean water and sanitation for all, this book offers valuable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and scholars alike. It provides a rich repository of knowledge and perspectives, empowering individuals and organizations to navigate the complexities of environmental governance and contribute to the achievement of sustainable development objectives. By exploring the experiences of Ireland, this book contributes to a broader understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with implementing environmental directives in diverse contexts, fostering a more informed and effective approach to environmental policymaking.

Weight: 542g
Dimension: 161 x 241 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780719088872