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Light Pollution

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 February 2013

Wednesday, 20 February 2013

Questions (180)

Tom Fleming

Question:

180. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the correspondence (details supplied) regarding the International Darkskyes Association; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9282/13]

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Written answers

There is no environmental legislation pending or in force, at either EU or national level, on light pollution. However, steps have been taken at a national level to help alleviate the effects of such pollution.

Irish regulations on environmental impact assessment (of projects which are likely to have significant effects on the environment) require an environmental impact statement to include an estimate of expected residues and emissions from the operation of the proposed development. This requirement expressly covers impacts from artificial lighting.

While a very limited number of planning authorities have included objectives in their development plans in relation to the minimisation of light pollution, it is open to authorities to address this issue in the context of providing for the proper planning and sustainable development of their areas through their development plans.

There are currently no provisions in planning legislation that require planning applications to be accompanied by lighting plans. Under Section 34 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 planning authorities may attach such conditions to the grant of planning permission as they consider necessary for the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

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