Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 382: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views of An Taisce's use of State money to lodge objections (details supplied) to planning applications in the Connemara region. [36357/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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My Department does not provide funding to An Taisce to fund the making of submissions or observations on, or the lodgment of objections, to planning applications. My Department provides funding to An Taisce specifically to support their involvement in the County Development Plan process and to help educate the public about planning matters generally. The level of funding has declined from €72,000 in 2010 to €20,000 in 2011 reflecting an increasing awareness amongst the public of their rights and opportunities for participation in the planning process as provided for under the Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (the Aarhus Convention). My Department also provides funding to An Taisce for a number of successful environmental education and awareness raising initiatives such as National Spring Clean; Green Schools initiative; and the Blue Flag Awards.