Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 5 Feb 1991

Vol. 404 No. 6

Written Answers. - Environmental Information Directive.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

173 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for the Environment when he intends to implement the environmental information directive, Council Directive 90/313/EC of 7 June 1990, on the freedom of access to information on the environment held by public authorities; and whether he intends to limit the right of free access to environmental information as set out in Article 3 (2) of the directive.

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment (Miss Harney)

It is intended to implement Directive 90/313/EC by means of regulations to be made by the Minister for the Environment under section 107 of the Environmental Protection Agency Bill, 1990, when enacted.

In line with the directive, section 107 will allow regulations to provide for classes of circumstances in which information may be refused and for procedures to review such refusals.