Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 November 2011
423 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will reconsider any move which will increase costs and bureaucracy on farmers through the implementation of the environmental impact directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32196/11]
View answerI introduced the European Communities (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Agriculture) Regulations 2011 to address a European Court of Justice (ECJ) judgement against Ireland in relation to the implementation of the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive. Ireland was facing significant lump sum and daily fines if Regulations were not introduced to fully satisfy the judgement.
The new Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations should not be seen as an impediment to development. There is no cost involved to the farmer in the screening application process and I envisage a turn-around time for applications of between four and six weeks. If proposed works do not have a significant adverse effect on the environment, then there is no reason why they cannot proceed. In light of the thresholds set for screening and mandatory environmental impact assessment under the EIA Regulations, I do not anticipate many activities requiring Environmental Impact Statements.
The Regulations will be underpinned by a comprehensive guidance document. The consultation period for the draft guidance document has now closed. The submissions received will be taken into consideration by my Department, along with the views of the European Commission, before the guidance is finalised.
I am satisfied that we have a workable solution that will minimise the administrative burden on farmers, keep the process, with the exception of drainage and reclamation of wetlands, outside of the planning system and also ensure that Ireland should not be open to the imposition of very large daily fines for non-compliance with the European Court of Justice finding.
