Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 March 2013
106. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to review regulations in relation to environmental impact assessments in view of the decision of a company (details supplied) to surrender its foreshore licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12836/13]
View answer111. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the discussion that took place between his Department and a company (details supplied) that led to the company surrendering its foreshore licence to drill an exploratory well in Dublin Bay, including details of the elements of the EU, EIA directive that were apparently not transposed correctly into Irish law in 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12835/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 111 together.
In the context of a judicial review of the grant of a foreshore licence to Providence Resources plc, my Department and the Office of the Attorney General met the company and their legal representatives on 12 February 2013. As that meeting was held in the context of and with regard to the judicial review, the discussions are confidential and privileged.
The Company announced its intention to surrender the foreshore licence in question. The surrender was not made at the request of my Department, no conditions were attached to the surrender, and neither were any commitments or assurances given to the company.
Compliance with EU legislation is a matter the State takes very seriously and there has been significant improvement in this area in recent years. In order to ensure full compliance with the Directive in question, the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive, my Department has initiated a review of the relevant legislation and will introduce amending regulations as required.
