SIB and Poolbeg
national |
history and heritage |
opinion/analysis 
Saturday April 08, 2006 13:06
by C Murray - TaraWatch
dotliath at gmail dot com
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087-7765-289
Mc Dowell, Cullen and ABP
The creation of a Critical infrastructure body charged with fast-track planning applications was held up by Michael Mc Dowell TD and Minister for Justice for many months.
The idea vaunted by Martin Cullen TD at Environment had the breaks put on due to the nimby Mc Dowell who definitely did not want Poolbeg in his back yard, interfering with his constituencey majority.
The Planning and Development Bill 2006 (Strategic Infrastructure Bill) provided a happy medium.
There would be no fast -track organisation but a happy medium, wherein An Bord Pleanala wd be re-structured and the new division take applications from Corporate entities, semi-state and state bodies to ensure that Critical infrastructure projects were achieved 'On time and within budget' .
The Strategic Infrastructure Bill will encompass all future building projects including electricity masts, railway, motorway and will be amended on its pathway through the houses of the Oireachtas to include gas pipe-lines. Poolbeg incinerator , the Indaver Ireland project is not included in the SIB, though all other incinerator projects are. This was first reported in the Irish Times by Tim O Brien on the 17th Feb 06, the day after the launch of the SIB at the Dept of the Environment. This Planning and Development Bill must be opposed.
* Major changes to the way in which the board handles infrastructure consents, including the possibility for pre-application discussions with the applicant and more flexibility in the decision that the Board can make on the application.
*An Bord Pleanala is already responsible for deciding on roads , motorways , water and waste water proposals by local authorities. This bill extends that process to projects of strategic importance. In addition, infrastructure being provided by other statutory bodies and private promoters will now also be be subject to a single stage process. This will cover core energy, environmental and transport infrastructure.
Comments (2 of 2)
Jump To Comment: 1 2At the moment it appears there is no direct mention of fast track approval for nuclear power in the Planning and Infrastrurture Act, though it is likely that it could be introduced at the last minute through an amendment before the public have a chance to notice.
I would suggest that we all keep vigilant of any maneovers in that regard.
The issue of 'Core energy' is mentioned, but nuclear energy is not directly alluded to.
It could allow quite easily for nuclear energy, but again this issue is not directly alluded to.
The national interest is repeated many times and we can assume therefore when fossil fuel levels hit crisis point that it will be a goer. yes.
"the types of infrastructure to be covered by the new strategic consent process are listed in a new Seventh schedule to the 2000 planning act and include environmental,energy and transport infrastructure."
not much to go on , and again:
"This bill extends that process to projects of strategic importance . in addition , infrastructure being provided by other statutory bodies and private promoters will now also be subject to a single stage process. this will cover core enrgy, environmental and transport infrastructure."
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