Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 12 Dec 1991

Vol. 414 No. 6

Written Answers. - Interpretative Centres.

Roger T. Garland

Ceist:

119 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline (1) the criteria to be used in determining major interpretative centres, (2) whether this criteria is based on financial expenditure or square footage, (3) the guidelines when the publication of the environmental impact assessment raises matters which are unacceptable to the environmental/ecological wellbeing of the area and (4) whether all such proposals are shelved at this stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Mr. O'Donoghue)

An interpretative centre is classified as major if the estimated cost is in excess of £1 million or if the area of the building exceeds 1,000 sq. metres. Should an environmental impact assessment on the proposed interpretative centre conclude that the project will involve significant adverse environmental impacts which cannot be mitigated, the scheme will of course be abandoned. The position in relation to those proposed interpretative centres where environmental impact assessments are in progress or are due to commence shortly is that no construction work will be undertaken or contracts placed until the EIA process has been completed.