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ARTICLE · 09 OCTOBER 2024

Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill – A Focus On The Energy Sector

William Fry LLP
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It will complement the statutory timelines being introduced under the Planning and Development Bill 2023.

IrelandEnergy and Natural Resources
Michelle Martin
Michelle Martin
Fergus Devine
Fergus Devine
Máire O'Neill
Máire O'Neill
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The Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024 (Bill) aims to provide more certainty around the timeframe for decisions on applications for licences from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the energy, food, pharma, chemicals, waste and other industrial sectors.

It will complement the statutory timelines being introduced under the Planning and Development Bill 2023.

Current Position

The EPA licencing application process is governed by the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992 (1992 Act). It is not unusual for applicants to experience significant delays under the current process, with some applications taking up to two years to be finalised. The factors contributing to this are:

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