Environmental impact assessment practice in Ireland following the adoption of the European directive

Abstract

Legislation for environmental impact assessment (EIA) was introduced in Ireland in 1976. This EIA regime had a number of defects. Subsequently, the European Directive on EIA was implemented in Ireland by several regulations. In 1992 the Environmental Protection Agency Act was enacted. This provided for the establishment of an all-encompassing environmental protection agency responsible for a number of matters concerning EIA. Ireland has not been prepared for the large increase in statements being prepared following the introduction of the European Directive. This is borne out by recent studies of EIA practice that have highlighted a number of deficiencies. For example, it has been found that 60 percent of environmental impact statements (EISs) submitted in Ireland were unsatisfactory, while only 15 percent were considered to be good. However, the number of EISs considered to be satisfactory had risen considerably over the period 1988–1992, from 8 percent to 65 percent. Difficulties have also arisen with projects funded by the European Union; it has been recommended that strategic environmental assessment be adopted in such circumstances. The practitioner in Ireland and in particular the local authorities are likely to face a difficult period over the next decade as the EIA regime comes under increasing scrutiny and attempts are made to resolve the deficiencies that have come to light.