A spokesperson for the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment said the department “notes” the EC’s announcement regarding the infringement case.
They also said the EC had acknowledged the “significant enforcement” carried out by Ireland’s EPA against unauthorised peat extraction “at the largest sites”.
They pointed out that the EPA inspects peatland sites and its inspection reports have been published on its website and shared with the EC.
The department explained that in Ireland, a pollution control licence is required before commercial operators can extract peat from sites which exceed 50 hectares.
For sites stretching between 30 and 50 hectares, planning permission from a local authority is required in addition to an EIA.
It said in the case of sites of under 30 hectares, planning permission “may” be required if extraction is likely to have a significant effect on the environment.
The department added that enforcement at smaller sites was a “matter for planning authorities and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage”.
However, the Department of Housing told BBC News NI it has “no role” in enforcement or imposing penalties “outside of providing the legislation”.
Its spokesman added that city or county councils are responsible for the planning system, including “enforcement relating to breaches of planning legislation”.
“Where an individual does not comply with an enforcement notice, the planning authority can take the matter to court,” the Department of Housing said.
They said if found guilty “an individual may face a criminal conviction and a fine and/or a prison sentence”.
