European Union (Appropriate Assessment) (Minerals Development Act 1940) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 385 of 2018).

These Regulations amend the Minerals Development Act, 1940 by inserting a new section (8A) on appropriate assessment (as referred to in Article 6(3) of Council Directive 92/43/EEC (the Habitats Directive)) of deep drilling projects as required by the European Communities (Birds and Habitats) Regulations 2011. The amendment concerns the application of the screening provisions in respect of Appropriate Assessment in the context of applications for consent for deep drilling for mineral exploration purposes. Where the Minister is satisfied, on receipt of an application referred to in subsection (3) of section 8A that it is required under the Regulations of 2011, he or she shall carry out a screening for appropriate assessment of the proposed activity concerned in accordance with Part 5 of the Regulations of 2011.