merrion street

The Minister for Housing, Planning, Planning and Local Government, Mr Eoghan Murphy T.D., today (27 October 2017) announced the commencement of public consultation on the Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment prepared for the draft fourth Nitrates Action Programme.

In accordance with the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Directive 2001/42/EC, as transposed into Irish law, an SEA Environmental Report and non-technical summary have been prepared on the likely significant environmental effects of implementing the draft programme. In addition, a Natura Impact Statement has been prepared to ascertain if the draft programme could significantly impact on any site designated for conservation as part of the Natura 2000 network.

In announcing the opening of this public consultation Minister Murphy said “protecting and maintaining water quality is a national priority and Ireland’s Nitrates Action Programme plays an important part in achieving this. This review of the Programme gives us an opportunity to ensure that it is delivering on this objective as effectively as possible”.

The review is a key step in the preparation of regulations that will underpin Ireland’s fourth Nitrates Action Programme which will be in place from 2018 until 2021.

A copy of the draft fourth Nitrates Action Programme and associated environmental reports can be downloaded from the Department’s website at www.housing.gov.ie or may be inspected at the Department’s offices during office hours, 9.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. The closing date for receipt of responses is 28 November 2017 at noon.