Thread by @attractaub

Report from EU Commission highlights major inadequacies in materials submitted to #AnBordPleanala for remedial assessment on unlawful #DerryBrien #Windfarm. This is compounded by really serious failings in Board's handling of #PublicParticipation process
independent.ie/business/farmi…

An application went to Board in August 2020, but a further round on consultation was triggered given changes made to the Irish legislation for this process to address issues identified in a Supreme Court ruling in July 1 in case taken by An Taisce. But ....

Despite the fact the Oireachtas had required in primary legislation the new info to be made available online by An Bord Pleanala they didn't do so for over 3 weeks of a 5 week consultation - buried in height of August holiday period & weeks after the issue was highlighted to them

Confusion reigned for public on when the consultation started & finished compounded by administrative issues in the Board and their failure to provide information which showed when they'd received the updated public notices which was the trigger for the start of the consultation

And I could go on and on .. but this all comes in the context of a remedial assessment documents sitting before the Board finally after 18 years 😠 from the judgment in 2008 and which are still seriously deficient in their assessment according to EU Commission's report on them.

These aren't just technical tick box concerns - they include major concerns on thoroughness & adequacy of assessment on #PeatStability & major gaps in future monitoring so #publichealth & #PublicSafety at issue here.Ireland has sat on this for over 13 yrs since 2008 EU Court case

EU Commission brought Ireland back to #CJEU who effectively found Ireland in contempt in Nov 2019.The Advocate General for the Court described Ireland's progress resolving this since 2008 as being "as in a game of snakes and ladders" 😳Now it's time to "proceed directly to jail"

It is truly unbelievable that both the quality of the documentation provided & the quality of the procedure being followed are even now so seriously at issue - costing taxpayers the guts of €15million so far and counting ...not to mention the worry and fear for locals. If you ..

Ever wondered why #AccessToJustice & to Courts to hold public authorities to account was so essential? #Derrybrien is the justification in a nutshell: serious issues in: applications, in decision-making by Authorities, in legislation & how they correct it ..& delay after delay

It is essential the Board's evidences the highest standards here in the process and quality of decision - this current round of consultation has been flawed and this application for substitute consent for #Derrybrien as it stands is totally deficient - major work to be done here.