Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 May 2000

Vol. 519 No. 7

Written Answers. - Environmental Complaints.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

22 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his response to recent criticism expressed by the EU Commissioner for the Environment, Margot Wallstrom, in which she said that the EU was not getting the co-operation it expected from this country in regard to the investigation of environmental complaints; the steps he is taking to ensure that there is full co-operation with the Commission in the investigation of all such complaints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14704/00]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey):

Where complaints are notified by the European Commission, it is my Department's policy to respond as promptly as practicable to requests for information and to co-operate fully with the Commission in all respects. I am concerned to ensure we have adequate procedures in place generally to address legitimate concerns and to avoid any unwarranted delay, for example, in the delivery of necessary infrastructural developments subject to extensive public consultation and approval procedures at national level.

While every effort is made to respond to complaints within the tight deadlines provided by the Commission, requests may involve co-ordination of inputs from a number of sources including bodies other than my Department, for example, other Government Departments, State agencies and local authorities. Response material may be extensive, including, where necessary, background, legislative and technical documentation on a wide range of issues including nature protection, planning, environmental impact assessment and water/waste management. My Department is in discussion with the commission to determine how best to address Commission concerns, taking account also of procedures and remedies at national level.