The European Environment Agency (EEA) is an agency of the European Union. It gathers data and produces assessments on a wide range of topics related to the environment. It does so in close cooperation with its extensive partnership network, the European Environmental Information and Observation Network, known as the Eionet.
National Focal Points (NFPs) are the primary national contact points in the Eionet and the EEA works closely with them. Typically based in a national environment agency or environment ministry, an NFP is appointed by their EEA member country.
The Environmental Protection Agency acts as the NFP for Ireland, coordinating environmental information exchange with the EEA and others. In its NFP role, the EPA maintains and develops the national network. It also facilitates and coordinates contacts, requests and deliveries between national and EU level.
The provision of high-quality data by the Eionet is fundamental to the EEA achieving its mission to deliver data and knowledge in support of Europe's environment and climate ambitions. Data is reported by EEA member countries through the EIONET in a variety of areas. These include air emissions and quality, biodiversity, climate change mitigation, industrial pollution and water. This core data is used by the EEA for its main assessments, products and services.
The EPA is also the designated National Data Flow Coordinator for Ireland and oversees the submission of high-quality environmental data to the Eionet.
On 17 October 2024, the EPA's NFP Team hosted an information exchange event in Dublin at which representatives of the European Environment Agency met with Eionet Ireland members. Leena Ylä-Mononen, Executive Director, European Environment Agency and Brian MacSharry, Head of Group, Nature and Biodiversity, European Environment Agency informed participants about recent and upcoming EEA publications, the general work of the EEA and the wider EIONET network. Members of Eionet Ireland presented on related Irish work and together, participants explored the potential synergies and added value to be gained from engagement with Eionet.
Links to the presentations made at the Eionet Ireland event are available below.
| Presentation | Organisation |
|---|---|
| Eionet Ireland Network - National Focal Point Ireland | Environmental Protection Agency |
| EEA-Eionet supporting the European Green Deal and beyond environmental knowledge and systemic approaches | European Environment Agency |
| EEA's perspective on recent EU environmental policy | European Environment Agency |
| EPA Environment and Health Activities | Environmental Protection Agency |
| LIFE Emerald overview | Environmental Protection Agency |
| Climate change in the Irish mind | Environmental Protection Agency |
| Earth observation for land-use policy | Teagasc |
| Ecosystems accounts | Central Statistics Office |
