Prisons Act 2007

Environmental impact assessment.

19.— (1) Before proceeding with a development, the Director-General of the Irish Prison Service shall appoint a person to prepare an environmental impact assessment in respect of it.

(2) The following information shall be contained in the environmental impact assessment:

(a) a description of the development, including in particular—

(i) a description of its physical characteristics and land-use requirements during the construction and operational phases,

(ii) information concerning its site, design and size, and

(iii) an estimate, by type and quantity, of any expected residues or emissions resulting from the development, such as water, air or soil pollution, noise, vibration, light, heat or radiation;

(b) an outline of the main alternatives to the development that were considered by the Minister and an indication of the main reasons for choosing the development, taking into account the environmental effects;

(c) a description of any aspects of the environment likely to be significantly affected by the development, including, in particular, population, fauna, flora, soil, water, air, climatic factors, material assets (including any architectural, archaeological or cultural heritage) and landscape and the inter-relationship between the matters referred to in this paragraph;

(d) a description of any likely significant effects of the development resulting from—

(i) the existence of the development,

(ii) the use of natural resources, and

(iii) any emission of pollutants, creation of nuisances or elimination of waste,

whether the effects are short, medium or long term, direct, indirect, permanent, temporary, positive, negative, cumulative or secondary;

(e) a description of the forecasting methods used to assess the effects on the environment;

(f) a description of the measures envisaged to prevent, reduce and, where possible, offset any significant adverse effects on the environment;

(g) the data required to identify and assess the main effects which the development is likely to have on the environment;

(h) an indication of any difficulties (technical deficiencies or lack of know-how) encountered in compiling the information;

(i) a non-technical summary of the information.

(3) The Director-General of the Irish Prison Service shall also arrange for the preparation of a drawing or other visual representation of the exterior of the completed development.

(4) The environmental impact assessment and visual representation of the development shall be submitted by the Director-General of the Irish Prison Service to the Minister.