Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 1 May 2001

Vol. 535 No. 1

Written Answers - Environmental Policy.

Richard Bruton

Question:

413 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has brought into force the sections of the Planning Act, 2000, which provide that any applications to carry out land reclamation beyond the foreshore would require planning permission; when he intends to bring these sections into operation; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Dublin Port Company have published material from their Environmental Impact Statement which does not take into account the new legislative framework which Dáil Éireann has provided for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11929/01]

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

The Planning and Development Act, 2000, was enacted on 28 August 2000. As I explained previously in replies to the Deputy's question of 30 January, 2001, because of the scale and complexity of the provisions of the Act, and the need to make regulations to give full effect to its provisions, it is necessary to commence the Act in stages. Three commencement orders have already been made bringing a number of Parts of the Act into force on 1 November 2000, 1 January 2001 and 17 April 2001.

The next tranche of regulations which are currently being prepared by my Department will enable me to bring the development control provisions of the Act including the provisions in Part XV concerning development on the foreshore into force. Some of these regulations require the prior approval of both Houses of the Oireachtas and I propose to submit draft regulations within the next month. In addition to the requirements of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, development on the foreshore is subject to the requirements of the Foreshore Acts, 1933 to 1998, which are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources. I have no knowledge of the EIS referred to in the question.