Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 10:

In page 3, between lines 30 and 31, to insert the following:“(III) has determined that no environmental impact assessment and/or appropriate assessment are required at the time of the application for an extension of the appropriate period, following a screening determination made by the planning authority and in light of the changed environmental circumstances, conditions and cumulative impacts pertaining at the period now in question for the completion of the development,”.

This is a very practical amendment to provide a screening mechanism to ascertain whether any development to which we are giving an extension requires an appropriate environmental impact assessment, given the changing circumstances of EIA legislation. The 2014 EIA directive, which we should have enforced by this stage, has extensive EIA considerations to take into account climate change effects, flood prevention or other disaster issues. Under the Aarhus Convention, there is a requirement on the part of public authorities which extend planning permission, as provided for in this Bill, to take account of the need for EIA assessments. This amendment gives legal certainty and allows us to be compliant within European law. It also provides a suitable screening mechanism which is not otherwise provided for in the legislation.

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