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(2004/C 78 E/0549)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3350/03

by Patricia McKenna (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(6 November 2003)

Subject:   Derrybrien wind-farm bog-slide

Anecdotal and photographic evidence already strongly indicates that the major ongoing bog-slide, which began on Thursday 16 October at Derrybrien, Loughrea was caused by the construction of the 60 MW wind-farm, owned by ESB subsidiary Hibernian Wind Power Ltd, though they have not accepted responsibility, so far. It now covers an area of over 50 hectares, and has closed two access roads to the local village. The project involves two unapproved quarries coupled with the use of explosives, very heavy vehicles moving fill on unstable floating roads, all on a blanket bog up to 6 metres deep on a mountainside. Many of the planning conditions required to be met before commencement of works were not complied with by the developer, and several are outstanding, including a bond to cover abandonment/decommissioning of the project.

Apart from the major safety question, including the threat to the local village, there are now also serious risks to watercourses, and local water supplies, including nearby Lough Cutra, which is within a proposed SAC. One reason why Galway County Council originally rejected permission for phase 3 of this project was because it considered that soil erosion caused by construction was poorly addressed in the EIS. Nevertheless, An Bord Pleanála overturned the planning authority decision and granted permission without conditions on this issue. Much greater renewable energy deployment is absolutely essential, especially in Ireland, but that could now be seriously compromised by such careless development.

Does the Commission consider that such issues are, or should be, a key consideration in an EIS? Since they were not properly addressed in this case, will the Commission advise the planning authorities to halt the development, to avoid further environmental and safety risks and damage to the development of renewable energy?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(16 December 2003)

Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (EIA Directive) (1) as amended by Council Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997 (2) provides that Member States must ensure that, before development consent is given, projects likely to have significant effects on the environment by virtue, inter alia, of their nature, size or location are made subject to an assessment of their environmental effects. These projects are defined in Article 4, which refers to Annex I and II of the Directive. The construction of wind farms falls within Annex II point 3(i). It is up to the Member States to determine if an individual project is likely to have significant effects on the environment. Where significant effects are likely, Member States must carry out an environmental impact assessment (EIA).

From the information provided, it seems that an environmental impact statement (EIS), and consequently an EIA, has been carried out for this project. However, the Honourable Member considers that the information provided in the EIS, in particular as regards soil erosion, was inadequate. According to the Honourable Member, the execution of the project may be linked to a major land-slide.

In the light of the above, the Commission will investigate this matter with the Irish authorities and provide additional information to the Honourable Member.

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(1)OJ L 175, 5.7.1985.

(2)OJ L 73, 14.3.1997.

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