The Green Party has challenged the credibility of the Environmental Protection Agency following the Government's appointment of a senior industry representative as its director-general.
Green Party TD Mr John Gormley said that there could be "very little confidence in the EPA" under the stewardship of Dr Mary Kelly, former assistant director of the business confederation, IBEC.
Dr Kelly was chosen by the Government from a panel of candidates last April.
Mr Gormley said it was clear that the "sustainability agenda" would not be moved forward significantly while Dr Kelly was at the helm of the EPA. The EPA said that Dr Kelly was on holiday and was unavailable for comment.
