Environmental Impact Assessments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 May 2018

Thursday, 24 May 2018

Ceisteanna (218)

Eamon Ryan

Ceist:

218. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the screening procedures undertaken and communicated to the public here to determine whether a transboundary impact on the environment and-or human health is likely from an application in Northern Ireland for an installation for the intensive rearing of pigs and poultry, further to Ireland’s and the UK's obligations under the environmental impact assessment directive. [22929/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

In the first instance, it is the responsibility for Northern Ireland or UK authorities to ensure that they comply fully with the obligations under relevant EU obligations, including in respect of transboundary consultation requirements under the Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (the Espoo Convention) and Directive 2011/92/EU relating to Environmental Impact Assessment.

My Department has requested the Northern Ireland Department for Infrastructure to provide certain information in relation to the proposed development referred to in the Question, with a view to establishing whether the development is considered likely to have significant effects on the environment in Ireland and whether the transboundary consultation provisions in the Espoo Convention and EIA Directive should be applied in this case.