12 February 2003

PRESS RELEASE

GREENS DELIGHTED WITH EU  DECISION THAT TWENTY EURO PLANNING FEE IS NOT LEGAL

The Green Party has given a warm welcome to the European Commision's opinion that the twenty euro fee to comment on planning applications is not legal under European law.

The Reasoned Opinion from the European Commission gives Ireland two months to remove the fee or proceedings will be taken in the European Court of Justice by the Commission against Ireland.    The Commission stated that it  is contrary to the Environmental Impact Assessment to make comment by the public subject to a participation fee. The Commission  also pointed out that Ireland is the only EU member state to have brought in such a fee.

Green Party Environment spokesperson,   Ciarán Cuffe TD, said today  We're delighted with the news". From my previous background as a town planner I am only too well aware of the useful advice that comes from members of the public. This advice dried up once the fee was introduced.  The fee was a botched attempt to limit the public's rights.  I am delighted that the Government has received this rebuke from the Commission. Congratulations are also due to the Friends of the Irish Environment Group, the Irish Planning Institute and An Taisce for their strenuous campaigning on this issue.”

"I am now calling on the Minister for the Environment to immediately drop the fee, as current planning applications may be at risk of review if the public aren't given back the right to give their views to the Planning Authority  without paying the twenty euro fee. He should also reimburse any individual who has had to pay the fee since its introduction.”

"I can only imagine that there will be considerable egg on the face of Minister Noel Dempsey who introduced the charge against the wishes of grassroots groups. It is time that this Government stopped pandering to big business and started listening to the voices of the general public. This is a good day for democracy and for the environment.”

ENDS/