Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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613. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if Directive 2013/30/EU on offshore safety has been transposed into law; the way in which this is applied to applications for offshore exploration activity and protection of marine stocks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7254/17]

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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EU Directive 2013/30/EU on safety of offshore oil and gas operations has been transposed into Irish law via the Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Act, 2015.

Section 22(2) of this Act inserts a new section 9A into the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act, 1960.  Section 9A(2) (a)(i) provides that the cost of degradation of the marine environment under the European Communities (Marine Strategy Framework) Regulations, 2011 (S.I. No. 249 of 2011) must be considered by the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment in carrying out an assessment as to whether to grant a petroleum licence.

In accordance with the legislation, this element of the Minister's assessment is required to be carried out in the context of a potential major environmental hazard.