Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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262. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the timeframe for the enactment of the European Union (Licensing of Large-Scale Extraction of Peat) Regulations 2016; his views on a legal case (details supplied), the outcome of which could cause negative implications on peat producers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52435/17]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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My Department is currently progressing draft Regulations under the European Communities Act 1972 that will establish a revised regulatory regime in respect of large-scale peat extraction, under the proposed title of the European Union (Licensing of Large-Scale Extraction of Peat) Regulations. Under the proposed new arrangements, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be required to carry out an environmental impact assessment as part of its examination of applications for a licence for peat extraction on sites of 30 hectares or more, with such activity to be consequently exempted from the requirement to obtain planning permission.

The draft regulations have been the subject of focused stakeholder input from relevant Government Departments and State bodies, industry representatives and environmental groups.  A detailed review of the draft Regulations is ongoing in light of these consultations and follow-up engagement with the EPA, with a view to finalising the Regulations for signature as soon as possible.

As regards the court case referred to in the Question, I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 254 on yesterday's Order Paper.