asked the Minister for the Environment if he proposes to initiate legislation to give effect to the EC Directive on Environmental Impact Assessments; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - EC Directive.
27.
Directive 85/337/EEC on Environmental Impact Assessment was brought into operation with effect from 3 July 1988, in accordance with arrangements notified by my Department. Statutory effect was given to the provisions of the directive in respect of motorway projects in September 1988, by the European Communities (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Motorways) Regulations, 1988 (S.I. No. 221 of 1988). Work is proceeding on measures to give express statutory effect to the directive in relation to the other types of projects to which it applies, and it is hoped to finalise these measures as soon as possible.