Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
304. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware that a section of the emerging preferred route of the Athlone to Galway Greenway is located on an SAC-designated area; if this is allowable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28074/23]
View answerTransport Infrastructure Ireland is conscious of fulfilling it’s statutory obligations in this regard as well as being committed to the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 - a comprehensive, ambitious, long-term plan for protecting nature and reversing the degradation of ecosystems.
As set out in the Strategy for the Future Development of National and Regional Greenways, greenway routes require environmental assessment in their planning and design and are constructed in compliance with the requirements of Irish and European law including, but not limited to, EU Directive 2014/52/EU.
As the approving authority under the Public Spending Code, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) are responsible for funding the planning, design and construction of Greenways. TII requires that TII funded Greenway Projects are delivered in accordance with the TII’s Project Management Guidelines (PMGs). Phase 3: Design and Environmental Evaluation (of an 8-stage process) of the PMG ensures that projects are developed in compliance with all appropriate environmental directives and legislation. The form of Statutory Process may include, but is not limited to, the following: Local Authority Own (Part 8) Development; 177AE of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, as amended (Appropriate Assessment); and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
Projects are assessed for environmental impacts and any necessary changes / mitigation measures are incorporated into the scheme design for the Greenway. The relevant Local Authority will conduct the Appropriate Assessment Screening and the Environmental Impact Assessment as required.
Some sections of the emerging preferred route of the Galway to Athlone National Greenway are in, bounding or proximate to Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). As part of the Design and Environmental Evaluation phase, the entirety of the Galway to Athlone National Greenway [including the sections of the route that are in, bounding or proximate to Special Areas of Conservation (SACs)] will be assessed from an environmental perspective. An Appropriate Assessment Screening Report , Natura Impact Statement and full Environmental Impact Assessment Report, will be prepared. This will include extensive engagement with relevant stakeholders including the National Parks and Wildlife Service. These documents will be submitted to An Bord Pleanála as part of a future planning application and it will be for ABP to decide whether the proposed development is in compliance with all appropriate environmental directives and legislation.
This process ensures that any potential adverse environmental impacts are identified by these rigorous environmental assessments and that, any impact that is identified is eliminated or mitigated by design amendments.
