STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS

S.I. No. 413 of 2003

PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT ACT 2003 (COMMENCEMENT) (NO. 2) ORDER 2003

Dublin

Published by the Stationery Office

S.I. No. 413 of 2003

Protection of the Environment Act 2003 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2003

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, in exercise of the powers conferred on him by section 2 of the Protection of the Environment Act 2003 ( No.27 of 2003 ), hereby orders as follows:

1.   This Order may be cited as the Protection of the Environment Act 2003 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2003.

2.   In this Order, “the Act of 2003” means the Protection of the Environment Act 2003 .

3.   On 17 September 2003, section 17 of the Act of 2003 shall come into operation.

4.   On 1 October 2003, the following provisions of the Act of 2003 shall come into operation:

a)    Subsection (4) of section 1; and

b)    Sections 56, 57, 58 and 59 (insofar as it relates to the Litter Pollution Act 1997 ).

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Instrument and does not purport to be a legal interpretation.)

This Order brings into force a specified section of the Protection of the Environment Act 2003 in relation to genetically modified organisms, and amendments in that Act to the Litter Pollution Act 1997 which strengthen local authority powers to prevent and control litter pollution, including increases in financial penalties and the introduction of conviction on indictment for litter offences.