Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I confirm to the Deputy my satisfaction that the current exploration licensing process is fully compliant with the requirements of both European and domestic law with respect to public participation in environmental assessment, including the requirements of EU Directives 2003/4/EC and 2003/35/EC.

The environmental assessment process implemented in Ireland is as follows. In advance of licensing rounds for the granting of exploration licensing options, a strategic environmental assessment, SEA, which is subject to public consultation, is undertaken at regional level. An SEA of the Celtic and Irish Seas was undertaken during 2010, the final results of which were published at the end of 2011. Once a drilling location has been identified and on receipt of a specific drilling proposal, an environmental area assessment is undertaken to identify all relevant potential environmental impacts and to decide whether the proposed mitigations are sufficient to ensure the application will not have an unacceptable environmental impact.

An environmental impact assessment, EIA, must be undertaken for all activities that may have a significant adverse effect on the environment, including major infrastructure projects such as crude oil refineries, railways, motorways and wastewater treatment plants. It should be noted that exploration drilling for oil and gas is not amongst the activities listed in the annexes to the directive. Proposals for a petroleum development to progress to the production stage must be supported by an environmental impact statement, which is assessed in accordance with the requirements of the EIA directive and includes full public consultation.

I confirm I am satisfied that the current licensing process is compliant with all relevant aspects of Directive 2003/4/EC, which deals with access to environmental information.

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