Press Release: Environment: Commission refers Ireland back to Court over incomplete environmental impact assessment laws

The European Commission has urged Ireland to bring its national legislation on assessing the effects of projects on the environment into line with EU rules. Despite considerable interaction with the Commission, legislation on environmental impact assessments in Ireland still contains shortcomings.

On the recommendation of Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik, the Commission has therefore referred Ireland back to the European Court of Justice and requested that it impose a lump sum fine of over €1,800,000 and a daily penalty payment of over €19,000 for each day after the second Court ruling until the infringement ends.