Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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115. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he is concerned about potential transboundary environmental impacts from gold mining in the Sperrins; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6791/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive (Directive 2011/92/EU), as amended by Directive 2014/52/EU), and the UNECE Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (the Espoo Convention) both set out the obligations of Member States/Parties to assess the environmental impact of certain activities or proposed development at an early stage of planning. They also lay down the general obligation of States to notify and consult other States on all major projects under consideration that are likely to have a significant adverse transboundary environmental impact.

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) is responsible for ensuring that the planning system in Ireland is compliant with the State’s EU and International planning obligations, which includes the EIA Directive and Espoo Convention processes in the Irish planning system. Ensuring that the EIA Directive or Espoo Convention obligations of Promoters or potential development applicants in another jurisdiction are adhered to, is a matter for the appropriate authorities in that jurisdiction, in accordance with their respective domestic legislation transposing such EIA Directive/ Espoo Convention obligations.

In that regard, DHLGH holds responsibility for receiving notifications from another jurisdiction under the Convention, together with consulting with relevant competent authorities to support a determination whether or not Ireland should participate in transboundary consultation.

On 30th of January 2025, I understand DHLGH received a transboundary EIA consultation notification from the Northern Ireland Department for Infrastructure concerning a proposed goldmine application in the Sperrins mountain range, County Tyrone which may have transboundary environmental impacts.

DHLGH subsequently contacted a number of relevant state authorities to determine if transboundary consultation is necessary, and that Department will consider responses from those bodies in due course.