Up to 60 per cent of companies applying for licences from the Environmental Protection Agency incur unnecessary costs by failing to get professional advice and assistance when completing applications, according to Bord na Mona's managing director, Mr Paddy Hughes.
Going it alone when seeking EPA integrated pollution control licences - which are required by most industries - "is like failing to get help from professional accountants when dealing with tax returns", Mr Hughes said at a seminar yesterday.
By using professionals like Bord na Mona's environmental division, he said, it was proving easier to meet EPA requirements, and to save money. IPC licensing was being extended to a point where intensive pig and poultry farms and motor garages must have an IPC licence.