Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 1433: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the plans he has to introduce new regulations in relation to quarries; if there are EU directives that have yet to be implemented in relation to this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29895/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Section 261 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 introduced a once-off system of registration for all quarries, except those for which planning permission was granted in the 5 years prior to the commencement of the section on 28 April 2004. Under the registration system, quarry operators were required to supply full details of their operations to the planning authority within a year, i.e. by 27 April 2005.

Following registration, planning authorities were empowered to impose controls on the operation of registered quarries as follows:

impose conditions on the operation of a pre-October 1964 quarry;

require a pre-October 1964 quarry which exceeds certain thresholds to apply for planning permission and submit an Environmental Impact Statement;

restate, modify or add to conditions on the operation of a quarry which has received planning permission.

My Department is considering the measures necessary, including legislative measures, to ensure early compliance with a recent European Court of Justice judgment (Case 215/06) concerning retention planning permission for developments, including quarries, requiring an environmental impact assessment.