Vol. 537 No. 5
379 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his Department has issued any guidelines to the health boards regarding environmental health officers carrying out site inspections on planning applications in rural areas; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that these inspectors are not carrying out inspections at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17268/01]
My Department issued guidance to local authorities during the foot and mouth crisis on a range of matters, including site inspections. Initial guidance on 1 March 2001 advised against carrying out inspections except where deemed absolutely necessary. Revised guidance outlining relaxations of the initial measures issued on 19 April 2001 and 25 May 2001. In effect, the guidance provides that site inspections, including inspections by environmental health officers acting on behalf of the local authority, can now be carried out under certain conditions. Planning authorities are now working to clear any backlog in site inspections which occurred during this period.
