Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 929: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his policy on light pollution, in view of the problems of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29130/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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A number of steps have been taken, or are being developed, at a national level to reduce light pollution.

The regulations on environmental impact assessment of projects which are likely to have significant effects on the environment require an environmental impact statement to include an estimate of expected residues and emissions from the operation of the proposed development. This requirement expressly covers impacts from artificial lighting. While a very limited number of planning authorities have included objectives in their development plans in relation to the minimisation of light pollution, it is open to authorities to address this issue in the context of providing for the proper planning and sustainable development of their areas through their development plans.

Under Section 34 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, planning authorities may attach such conditions to the grant of planning permission as they consider necessary for the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

The guidance document Recommendations for Site Development Works for Housing Areas, dated November 1998, is currently being reviewed by my Department to bring it in line with the sustainability agenda. The 1998 recommendations include a section on public lighting in housing areas and in the current review the opportunity will be taken to assess recommendations to avoid light pollution. When finalised, the revised recommendations will be made available to planning authorities.

The public awareness campaign focusing on climate change — the Change Campaign — has two key and overriding imperatives: firstly to change how people in Ireland think about climate change, and secondly to encourage everyone to change their behaviour patterns and play their part in tackling climate change. The current phase of television advertisements, the website www.change.ie and the carbon calculator, in particular, are designed to raise awareness of carbon footprints and include encouraging people to switch off unnecessary lights.