Vol. 473 No. 4
296 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Environment if he has satisfied himself with the guidelines and provisions for environmental impact assessment; if he is reviewing any aspect of these provisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1709/97]
The requirement to carry out an environmental impact assessment (EIA) of certain proposed developments derives from Directive 85/337/EEC. I am satisfied that Ireland has given full effect to this Directive since the introduction of the European Communities (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations, 1989 and other relevant legislation and regulations. The operation of the regulations is kept under review and I am at present examining particular aspects, such as the threshold for peat extraction, with a view to possible changes. The regulations will also need to be re-examined in the light of the revised Directive on EIA which is expected to be adopted later this year.
The Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992, provides for the preparation by the Environmental Protection Agency of guidelines on the information to be contained in environmental impact statements and requires those preparing and evaluating such statements to have regard to the guidelines. Guidelines were published in draft form in 1995 and these will be reviewed by the agency later this year with a view to formally issuing them under the Act.
