I propose to take Questions Numbers 171 and 172 together.
To my knowledge, no reasoned opinion on this issue has been received from the European Commission by Ireland.
During the preparation of the NDP, the question of undertaking a Strategic Environment Assessment (SEA) was considered by the Government. The outcome of this consideration, which included taking legal advice, was that an SEA was not required.
In 2007, the European commission sent a Letter of Formal Notice seeking information on the NDP and its status as it was their opinion that the NDP appeared to be a plan or programme subject to the SEA Directive. A reply was sent to the Commission setting out our position that the NDP is not subject to the aforementioned Directive.
The Commission sent a revised Letter of Formal Notice in 2008. Ireland's response confirmed our considered opinion that the NDP is not subject to the SEA Directive. Issues relating to Transport 21 are a matter, in the first instance, for the Minister for Transport.