Dáil Éireann - Volume 486 - 03 February, 1998

Written Answers. - Pollution Control.

Mr. Bell Mr. Bell

69. Mr. Bell asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government when all potentially polluting activities will be subject to integrated pollution control licensing; if he is satisfied that the cost of making application of such licences for all sectors is reasonable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2457/98]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. D. Wallace) Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. D. Wallace)

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. D. Wallace): The phasing in of integrated pollution control licensing for activities covered under the First Schedule to the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992 (No. 7 of 1992) commenced in May 1994 and will be completed as soon as possible. Licensing has been commenced for all new activities and in the case of established activities will by 9 June 1998 have commenced for approximately 75 per cent of all categories of licensable activity. I will shortly extend the licensing system to further categories of established activity.

It has been stated Government policy that integrated pollution control licensing by the Environmental Protection Agency should operate on a self-financing basis. In this context, and having regard to the substantial cost of processing and determining licence applications, I am satisfied that the current schedule of licence application fees is reasonable. Other costs whcih may be associated with making a licence application will vary with individual cases. In general, these costs are related to the type of activity involved and the environmental management and polluting potential of its operation.

Dáil Éireann 486 Written Answers. Pollution Control.

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