Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
2110. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he considers 30 days to be a reasonable timeframe for the public to prepare and participate effectively during the environmental decision-making process as required under Article 6 (3) of the Aarhus Convention where such a large number of applications have been made by a single public authority on the same day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40865/22]
View answerThe UNECE Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (Aarhus Convention) was adopted on 25th June 1998 in the Danish city of Aarhus. The Convention originates in the 1992 Rio Declaration, specifically Principle 10 on the Environment. Principle 10 sets out three fundamental rights: access to information, access to public participation and access to justice, as key pillars of sound environmental governance.
Ireland ratified the Aarhus Convention and the associated Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) Amendment and the Pollutant Release Transfer Register (PRTR) Protocol in June 2012. Policy issues arising, including the adequacy of 30 days for public consultation, are a matter for the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.
