Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 268: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the legal entitlement of local authorities to regulate quarries which were in existence prior to 1963 arising from recent challenges (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7067/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Section 261 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, which was commenced with effect from 28 April, 2004, introduced a "once-off" system of registration for all quarries, except those for which planning permission was granted in the previous 5 years. Under the registration system, quarry operators were required to supply full details of their operations to the planning authorities by 27 April 2005. Following registration, a planning authority could impose conditions on the operation of a pre-October 1964 quarry or could require such a quarry to apply for planning permission and submit an Environmental Impact Statement in certain circumstances. Authorities could also restate, modify or add to conditions on the operation of a quarry which had received planning permission more than 5 years before the commencement of section 261.

I intend to bring forward committee stage amendments to the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009 to address certain difficulties in relation to section 261 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, which made provision for registration and imposition of controls on quarries.