Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 January 2022
168. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the environmental impact statement conducted prior to publishing the announcement to grant a licence to a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2117/22]
View answerDesktop studies, geochemistry and surface geophysics are temporary, non-intrusive activities, involving minimal disturbance and have a limited zone of influence. Such activities are not subject to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) under national and EU legislation. In the event that a prospecting licence holder does identify a target for drilling, any proposed drilling activity will be subject to further environmental screening assessments by the Geoscience Regulation Office, including EIA Criteria Assessment, to determine whether screening under the EIA Directive is required, in accordance with national and EU legislation.
