Press Release 10 December 2004 | Ciaran Cuffe

Press Release 10 December 2004

Green Party welcomes Government U-turn on Critical Infrastructure Bill
The Green Party has welcomed the decision by the Government not to proceed with the proposed Critical Infrastructure Bill which would have severely limited the rights of individuals and communities to have their voices heard as part of the Planning process. The Green Party has always opposed the Critical Infrastructure Bill on these grounds.

Green Party Environment spokesperson, Ciarán Cuffe TD said today that, "We all want to see projects being completed in a reasonable time, but the proposed Bill would have made it more difficult for concerns to be raised during the planning process. Many infrastructural projects get bogged down in the Courts, and we would welcome the setting up of a special division of the High Court to deal with challenges to major projects."

"It is interesting to see another U-turn from the Government on an initiative taken by Martin Cullen during his time as Minister for the Environment. Following on from the reversal on e-voting, can we now hope for a change of heart on the proposals to build municipal incinerators, given that many Ministers don't want them in their back-yards?"

"Three-quarters of all the appeals to An Bord Pleanála were dealt with within the statutory time period last year. That's usually 18 weeks. It is a professional well-run organisation that should not be side-lined as part of any review of the Planning process. However, the Green Party often disagrees with the Board on its decisions, particularly its approval rate for roads proposals even at times against the recommendations of its own planning inspectors."

"We also feel that a similar review process should be provided for the Integrated Pollution Control Licenses issued by the Environmental Protection Agency, as they act as judge and jury in adjudicating on incinerators and other controversial proposals," concluded Deputy Cuffe.

Information
Ciarán Cuffe TD 618 3082
Elaine Walsh Press Office 6183852 / 087 223 2946