European Union (Planning and Development) (Habitats and Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2022 (S.I. No. 708/2022)

These Regulations amend the Planning and Development Act 2000 (No. 30 of 2000) and have the purpose of giving further effect to Article 1(3) of the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive; giving further effect to Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive; and aligning the Planning and Development Act with the Environmental Protection Agency Act. Amendments to Section 173A require applicants where EIA is required for a development an EPA licence as well. The amendments to Sections 181(2A) and 181B will facilitate a Minister of the Government granting an exemption to a development or part of a development; the amendments also remove the exemption provided at Sections 181B(2)(d) and 181B(4)(b) from the requirement to screen for Appropriate Assessment. The amendments to Section 181(2T), 181(2W), 181A and 181C will ensure that the existing transposition provisions in relation to the test for screening for Appropriate Assessment, is consistent with Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive.