Donegal County Council says it is satisfied that it has engaged fully, and fulfilled its obligations in relation to the Dalradian application for a goldmine in the Sperrins.
The issue was raised in a question from Cllr Terry Crossan, who asked if the council will fully engage in a meangingful way with the next public inquiry after the last inquiry was suspended.
Responding to Cllr Crossan, officials told him the council planning authority is satisfied that it has engaged fully with the process required by the legislation, has fulfilled its obligations as a consultee in full accordance with the requirements of the Northern Ireland decision making processes, and will continue to participate with the procedures of the inquiry as required.
Earlier this year, the inquiry was suspended when it found that the department had failed to notify the Irish government about the inquiry and that it had not given Donegal County Council adequate time to respond after a cross-border issue was identified.
Now, Donegal County Council is telling Cllr Crossan that its engagement in relation to environmental matters arising fromthe proposed Dalradian Mining development in County Tyrone is conducted within statutory parameters, and the planning authority is satisfied that the Dalradian Transboundary Environmental Public Consultation was in accordance with those Regulations.
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Answer in full –
Question
“Will D.C.C fully engage , in a meaningful way, with the next public inquiry on the Dalriadian Application
for a Goldmine in the Sperrins so as to fully represent the citizens of Donegal and the R.O.I?”
Answer
The planning authority is satisfied that it has engaged fully with the process required by the legislation,
has fulfilled its obligations as a consultee in full accordance with the requirements of the NI decision
making processes, and will continue to participate with the procedures of the inquiry as required by NI
authorities. The engagement of Donegal County Council in relation to environmental matters arising from
the proposed Dalradian Mining development in County Tyrone is conducted within statutory parameters.
Section 174(4) of the Planning & Development Act 2000 (as amended) sets out these parameters for the
planning authority as having a consultative role in the process with the decision-maker being the
appropriate authority in NI. Associated with Section 174, the Minister made Regulations in relation to
Transboundary Environmental Impacts and Transboundary Consultation processes under Article 132 of
the Planning & Development Regulation 2001 (as amended) and the planning authority is satisfied that
the Dalradian Transboundary
