John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

I indicated in my reply that the European Commission issued Ireland with a reasoned opinion to the effect that the €20 fee for the making of a submission on a planning application for a development which requires environmental impact assessment was contrary to the public participation provisions. The Commission was of the view that the directive makes no express provision for the payment of a participation fee and suggested that the submission fee could act as an impediment. The court found that the Commission's allegation was without foundation in its entirety. Given our own economic situation and the fact that the planning authorities and the local authorities need some extra revenue, it would not make sense at this time to abolish those fees.

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