Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 June 2019
731. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his officials or the relevant State agencies have been consulted on a planning application by a company (details supplied) to build an underground gold and silver mine in west County Tyrone under EU transboundary environmental requirements. [26071/19]
View answerMy Department has made enquires with the Northern Ireland Department for Infrastructure in relation to this matter. I am advised that no transboundary consultation between that Department and any body or agency in Ireland has taken place in respect of this planning application to date. I understand that the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland has not yet considered the application in the context of any potential transboundary effects. However, I am advised by my Department that where a likely significant transboundary effect is identified, such consultation will be initiated in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Espoo Convention on Transboundary Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and the EU EIA Directive.
Where it is considered that the development is likely to have significant effects on the environment in Ireland, it is open to my Department to request for such a consultation to be carried out.
