Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 April 2004
31 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the plans he has to ensure that the TEN-T guidelines that threaten Nature 2000 sites here and in the extended EU are rejected and strong environmental provisions are incorporated in the guidelines. [12300/04]
View answerI am informed by the Department of Transport that the European Parliament has approved the proposed EU guidelines for the development of trans-European networks in the transport sector, thus enabling their formal adoption this week before the enlargement of the Union.
The guidelines fully recognise the importance of respecting the protection of the environment in planning and developing projects, inter alia, through use of environmental impact assessments and observance of the requirements of the habitats directive. These concerns are already appropriately incorporated into Irish law and practice.
