Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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205. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if Ireland is in breach of Article 7 of the Aarhus Convention and Principle 10 of the 1992 UN Rio Declaration on Environment and Development with regard to the consultation of the local community and public at large on the wind exportation projects in the midlands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43656/13]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The Aarhus Convention was ratified by Ireland in June 2012 and entered into force on 18 September 2012. Th e three pillars of the Convention are access to information, public participation in decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters. Ireland has adopted the necessary legislation to implement the requirements of the Convention and ensure full compliance with it.

Last July, I announced that I am putting in place a renewable energy export policy and development framework over the next year or so, which will be underpinned by a Strategic Environmental Assessment and an Appropriate Assessment under the Habitats Directive. The process will offer the opportunity for all stakeholders, including local communities and the general public, to input into the framework. The initial phase of a the public consultation will commence in the next few weeks. In addition, I am putting in place a dedicated section on my Department's website to provide updates on the project on an ongoing basis.