12th February 2013: An Taisce The National Trust for Ireland welcomes the news today that Providence Resources have voluntarily surrendered the foreshore licence issued to them by the Department of the Environment Community & Local Government last September.
In their statement Providence made it clear that a transposition error in Ireland’s implementation of the EIA directive was the reason for their decision to surrender the licence.
This transposition error was the issue on which An Taisce had based its application for a Judicial Review under the EIA Directive of the Government’s decision to grant this licence to do exploratory survey and drilling work in Dublin Bay. Mr Justice Peart granted leave to seek a judicial review last December and the case was due back before the High Court on February the 19th.
Today’s statement of Providence Resources makes it clear that An Taisce’s decision to institute proceedings has been entirely vindicated.
John Harnett, Chair of An Taisce, “An Taisce will be liaising with its legal team to discuss what further actions are necessary at this point and to ensure that these essential changes to Ireland’s legislation are made to ensure that the Irish environment and its people are afforded the full protection that the EIA directive provides.
In this regard An Taisce notes with some concern that the Minister has today characterized the transposition errors as merely ‘difficulties’ to be amended. The EIA Directive is there to ensure adequate environmental protection and An Taisce trusts that any new application will be dealt with in strict accordance with the Directive.
We thank all those who supported our decision to take this case and to James Devlin SC, John Kenny BL and Marilyn McNicholas, Solicitor for their efforts in bringing this case to the High Court.
An Taisce is deeply conscious of the environmental importance of Dublin Bay and will continue its vigilant watch”.
Notes:
Providence Resources’ Press Release 12th Feb 2013 http://www.providenceresources.com/uploads/operationalupdate-kishbank-voluntarysurrenderofforeshorelicence%5B0%5D.pdf
From an An Taisce press release 12/2/2013
