Environmental Impact Statements

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 October 2013

Tuesday, 8 October 2013

Questions (405)

Willie Penrose

Question:

405. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the steps he will take to ensure that his Department's draft guidelines on EIA assessment 2012 are finalised and that the requirement on planning authorities to carry out an independent assessment of the EISs prepared by developers, as required by Article 3 of the EIA Amendment Regulations 2012, is fully communicated to local authorities and is observed fully at all times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42334/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

My Department issued the final version of the Guidelines for Planning Authorities and An Bord Pleanála on carrying out Environmental Impact Assessment in March 2013. A copy of the new guidelines was forwarded to planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála at this time. The guidelines are also available on my Department’s website at: http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/PlanningDevelopment/Planning/PlanningGuidance/

Under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála are required to have regard to any ministerial guidelines in the performance of their functions under the Planning and Development Act 2000.