Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government when Ireland will fully implement the Aarhus Convention; if this will have an impact for wind farms here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54106/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Prior to ratification of the Aarhus Convention it was necessary to ensure that Ireland had fully implemented its provisions in national law. Following confirmation from the Attorney General that all provisions were in place - over 60 pieces of legislation have been used to implement the Convention, including a number of amendments to the Planning and Development Acts - Ireland ratified the Convention on 20 June 2012. Accordingly, the development planning/control and licensing systems in this country are now fully compatible with the provisions of the Convention in terms of access to environmental information, public participation in decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters. The requirements applicable to relevant categories of development/activity, including windfarms, are set out in the relevant legislation.