Hazardous Substances.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 June 2004

Tuesday, 1 June 2004

Questions (92)

Paddy McHugh

Question:

111 Mr. McHugh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason pipelines and pumping stations within establishments are excluded from the scope of SI 476/2000, which was implemented by her Department on 21 December 2000, in view of the potential of such pipelines and pumping stations involving dangerous substances to create major accidents as recognised under Council Directive 96/82/EC, which does not exclude pipelines and pumping stations within establishments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16618/04]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

Statutory Instrument SI 476/2000 of the European Communities (Control of Major Accident Hazards Involving Dangerous Substances) Regulations 2000 transposed into Irish law Article 4(d) of Council Directive 96/82/EC of 9 December 1996 on the control of major accident hazards involving dangerous substances. Neither SI 476 of 2000 nor Directive 96/82/EC exclude pipelines and pumping stations within establishments covered by the directive and the regulations. For purposes of the directive and the SI, an establishment is considered to be the site within the overall landholding of an undertaking where dangerous substances are present in one or more installations.