Written answers

Wednesday, 26 July 2017

Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

International Agreements

Photo of Peadar TóibínPeadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1259. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if Ireland will support the findings and recommendations of the Aarhus Convention compliance committee (details supplied); if the State will resist attempts by the UK, the EU, other parties to the convention and the nuclear lobby to undermine and weaken these findings of non-compliance which may occur at the September 2017 meeting of the parties for the Aarhus Convention; if not, the basis for the State's decision; the person who will represent the State at the upcoming Aarhus meeting of the parties in Budva, Montenegro, from 11 to 14 September 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34903/17]

Photo of Maureen O'SullivanMaureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1285. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to the Aarhus Convention, if the State will support the findings and recommendations of the Aarhus Convention compliance committee which found that countries (details supplied) were in breach of the public participation requirements of the convention in respect of the transboundary consultations provided for in the decision to approve the development consent for the nuclear power project in the UK; his plans to resist attempts by the UK, the EU, other parties to the convention and the nuclear lobby to undermine and weaken these findings of non-compliance which may occur at the September 2017 meeting of the parties for the Aarhus Convention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35415/17]

Photo of Maureen O'SullivanMaureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1286. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the person who will represent the State at the upcoming Aarhus meeting of the parties in Budva, Montenegro, from 11 to 14 September 2017; his views on the importance of the meeting in view of an ESRI report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35416/17]

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1259, 1285 and 1286 together.

I note the findings and recommendations adopted by the Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee on 19 June 2017, with regard to communications ACCC/C/2013/91 and ACCC/C/2013/92, concerning compliance by the United Kingdom and Germany with their obligations under the Aarhus Convention in relation to public participation in the transboundary environmental impact assessment procedure for two nuclear reactors at Hinkley Point in the United Kingdom.  The findings and recommendations were concluded in accordance with defined procedures and international law under the Aarhus Convention and, as part of that process, parties concerned are entitled to submit comments on the draft findings and to challenge issues of fact.  Ireland is not a party to these proceedings and does not have a role in affirming or disputing the findings of the Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee.

Officials from my Department will attend the next Meeting of the Parties of the Aarhus Convention in September.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.