Thread by @NoonanJoe

SCt: Combined effect of Arts 9(2), (3) & (4) #Aarhus is that states must ensure that proceedings in which decisions granting development consent are challenged for non-compliance with national law relating to the environment are not prohibitively expensive
courts.ie/acc/alfresco/6…

Heather Hill

#Aarhus 'provides a powerful confirmation of the text of s.50B, and a strong counterpoint against arguments of context or purpose.'
- Murray J at par. 219
#SupremeCourt #AccessToJustice #RuleOfLaw #Environment #Law #AarhusConvention @EnvJusticeUCC @UNECEAarhus

"213. The conclusion I have reached is that s.50B means precisely what it says. [...]".

#StatutoryInterpretation

It is very good to have this clarification from the Supreme Court, agreeing w. Simons J. in the High Court, on the scope of protection given to people bringing environmental cases, against possible financial ruin.
Our Courts need to be accessible to all, not just the rich.

Unanimous decision of the five judge Court. #HeatherHill
irishexaminer.com/news/courtandc…

212. The [..] construction urged by the Board and State would produce the real risk of the substantive issues in environmental litigation becoming satellites to endless, expensive and time consuming battles around discrete issues of characterisation and further references to CJEU