Vol. 566 No. 4
163 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if the Government has now responded to the reasoned opinion from the EU Commission that the ?20 fee for making a submission on a planning application was illegal; the terms of the Government's response; if he intends to suspend the charge following further determination of this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12952/03]
On 23 January 2003, the European Commission issued Ireland with a Reasoned Opinion to the effect that the €20 fee for making a submission on a planning application is contrary to the public participation provisions of Directive 85/337/EEC on Environmental Impact Assessment, or EIA. A reply is currently being prepared in consultation with the office of the Attorney General. As the Reasoned Opinion raises many issues relating to public participation in environmental impact assessments, which in turn involve significant legal and policy issues concerning the regulation of the entire planning process in Ireland, an extension of time for reply to the Commission was sought on 21 March 2003. It is my intention to have a final reply forwarded to the Commission shortly.
