asked the Minister for Local Government if he will consider initiating legislation (a) to prevent the commencement of all major private and public projects until appropriate environmental safeguards shown to be necessary by an evaluation process are provided for (b) to make provision for continual assessment during and after the construction phase to ensure that performance coincides in fact with the anticipated results and in cases in which this does not occur that remedial steps will be taken to ameliorate excessive environmental harm and (c) in extreme cases to require the cessation of a project or action which can no longer be justified because of its harmful environmental effects.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Environmental Safeguards.
81.
The Local Government (Planning and Development) Bill, 1973, which is at present at Committee Stage in the Dáil, will further strengthen the already considerable powers of planning authorities, under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963, to control development and to safeguard the environment. In addition, an amendment which has been put down by me would enable regulations to be made requiring in specified cases that an applicant for planning permission should submit a written study of the effect of the proposed development on the environment. The preparation of legislation to provide for better control of water pollution is at an advanced stage and other legislative measures will be considered as the need arises. I might also mention that local planning authorities have been asked to make arrangements for systematic monitoring of effluents and air emissions so as to ensure full compliance with conditions attached to planning permissions.