S.I. No. 160/2017 – European Union (Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions, Calculation Methods and Reporting Requirements) Regulations 2017

These regulations transpose Article 7a and a number of related provisions of Directive 98/70/EC, as amended by Directive 2009/30/EC. Directive 98/70/EC, as amended, is known as the Fuel Quality Directive (FQD). The FQD sets technical specifications on health and environmental grounds for fuels to be used for vehicles equipped with positive-ignition and compression-ignition engines (e.g. road vehicles, tractors, inland vessels). Directive 2009/30/EC amended a number of the environmental specifications for petrol and diesel and introduced a new grade, low sulphur gas oil for use in non-road mobile machinery. It was transposed, in part, by S.I 155 of 2011 and S.I. 156 of 2011.

Article 7a of the FQD (as inserted by 2009/30/EC) introduces an obligation on fuel suppliers to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that fuels cause over their life-cycle i.e. when they are refined, transported and used. Under Article 7a, suppliers are required to reduce emissions by up to 10% per unit of energy from fuel and energy supplied. The reduction should amount to at least 6% by 31 December 2020 compared to 2010.

The regulations also transpose Council Directive (EU) 2015/652 which sets out rules on calculation methods and reporting requirements arising out of Directive 98/70/EC, as amended.

  • Air
  • 2017
  • S.I. No. 160/2017
S.I. No. 166/2017 – European Communities (Wildlife Act, 1976) (Amendment) Regulations 2017

These Regulations amend the Second Schedule of the European Communities (Wildlife Act, 1976) (Amendment) Regulations 1986 by the inclusion of additional means, arrangements or methods allowing for the capture or killing of, or interference with, any or all of the species of wild birds mentioned in the First Schedule.

  • Protection of Nature and Biodiversity
  • 2017
  • S.I. No. 166/2017
S.I. No. 171/2017 – Energy Act 2016 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) Order 2017

This Order brings into operation on the 28th April 2017 sections 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 9 , 10 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 20 , 21 , 22 and 23 of the Energy Act 2016 (No. 12 of 2016).

  • Misc
  • 2017
  • S.I. No. 171/2017
S.I. No. 177/2017 – European Union (Marine Equipment) Regulations 2017

These Regulations give effect to Directive 2014/90/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2014 on marine equipment and repealing Council Directive 96/98/EC. They come into effect on 1 May 2017.

The Regulations outline the obligations of the manufacturers, importers, authorised representatives and distributors when making certain marine equipment available on the market or when placing such equipment on an Irish ship. They also prohibit the placing of any such marine equipment on the market or on board an Irish ship unless it satisfies the essential safety requirements, has been subject to the relevant conformity assessment procedures, has had the ‘wheel mark’ affixed to it and, when used for its intended purpose, does not endanger maritime safety, health or the environment.

The Regulations also make provision for the notification of conformity assessment bodies and that such bodies must meet the requirements as set out in Annex III of Directive 2014/90/EU.

The Regulations revoke the the European Union (Marine Equipment) Regulations 2014 ( S.I. No. 540 of 2014 ) as amended.

The Regulations designate the Marine Survey Office of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport as the market surveillance authority and the competent authority in the State for the purposes of the Directive. The Irish National Accreditation Board (a committee of the Health and Safety Authority) is designated as the body to set up and carry out the necessary procedures for the assessment and accreditation of conformity assessment bodies and with the monitoring of any notified bodies.

  • Marine
  • 2017
  • S.I. No. 177/2017
S.I. No. 189/2017 – Forestry Act 2014 (Commencement) Order 2017

Forestry Act 2014 (Commencement) Order 2017

  • Forestry
  • 2017
  • S.I. No. 189/2017
S.I. No. 191/2017 – Forestry Regulations 2017

The purpose of these Regulations is to provide detailed rules for the control of forestry activities in the areas of felling, afforestation, forest road works and aerial fertilisation of forests as provided for in the Forestry Act, 2014. The Regulations also give further effect to the European Directives relating to Environmental Impact Assessment.

  • Forestry
  • 2017
  • S.I. No. 191/2017
S.I. No. 220/2017 – European Union Habitats (Castletownshend Special Area of Conservation 001547) Regulations 2017.

The European Union’s Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) (as amended) requires Member States to protect habitats and wildlife areas of European interest by, among other things, designating sites as Special Areas of Conservation in order to create a coherent European ecological network. The hyperlink:

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/legislation/habitatsdirective/index_en.htm which connects to the European Commission Environment (Nature and Biodiversity) website also contains a further link to the text of the Habitats Directive.

The effect of these Regulations is to complete the formal designation of the site as a Special Area of Conservation in accordance with Article 4 of the Directive. The geographical area of the Special Area of Conservation designated by these Regulations is defined in Schedule 1 (a map of the area) and Schedule 2 (a list of the townlands in question or a description of the area). For more detailed maps than those contained in Schedule 1, or for greater detail on boundary delineation, contact should be made with the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs or by viewing the relevant text or map details on www.npws.ie.

The natural habitat types and animal and plant species lists cited in Schedule 3 of these Regulations are specified, in accordance with the Directive, in order to ensure their conservation (i.e. the measures required to maintain or restore the natural habitats and the populations of species of wild fauna and flora at a favourable status). The updated list of published conservation objectives referred to in Regulation 3 is available on www.npws.ie. Public authorities should have regard to these objectives when undertaking a screening or appropriate assessment of plans or projects in accordance with the EU Habitats Directive.

Those activities that require consent of the Minister or in some circumstances another public authority listed at Schedule 4 to these Regulations are cited for their potential to cause disturbance or damage to the natural habitat types and animal and plant species specified in Schedule 3 of these Regulations. Landowners or occupiers should contact the local National Parks and Wildlife Service office of the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs before undertaking any of the works listed at Schedule 4. (See www.npws.ie for contact details). Please note that activities other than those listed at Schedule 4 to these Regulations, such as effluent discharge, construction work, aquaculture, fishing or forestry require a licence or permission from the appropriate consent authority.

These Regulations provide (Regulations 6 and 7) that contravention of the provisions of these Regulations shall constitute an offence. Regulation 6 also provides for penalties.

1 OJ No. L206, 22.07.1992, P. 7

  • Protection of Nature and Biodiversity
  • 2017
  • S.I. No. 220/2017
S.I. No. 221/2017 – European Union Habitats (Carrigeenamronety Hill Special Area of Conservation 002037) Regulations 2017

The European Union’s Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) (as amended) requires Member States to protect habitats and wildlife areas of European interest by, among other things, designating sitesas Special Areas of Conservation in order to create a coherent European ecological network. The hyperlink: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/legislation/habitatsdirective/index_en.htm which connects to the European Commission Environment (Nature and Biodiversity) website also contains a further link to the text of the Habitats Directive.

The effect of these Regulations is to complete the formal designation of the site as a Special Area of Conservation in accordance with Article 4 of the Directive. The geographical area of the Special Area of Conservation designated by these Regulations is defined in Schedule 1 (a map of the area) and Schedule 2 (a list of the townlands in question or a description of the area). For more detailed maps than those contained in Schedule 1, or for greater detail on boundary delineation, contact should be made with the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs or by viewing the relevant text or map details on www.npws.ie.

The natural habitat types and animal and plant species lists cited in Schedule 3 of these Regulations are specified, in accordance with the Directive, in order to ensure their conservation (i.e. the measures required to maintain or restore the natural habitats and the populations of species of wild fauna and flora at a favourable status). The updated list of published conservation objectives referred to in Regulation 3 is available on www.npws.ie. Public authorities should have regard to these objectives when undertaking a screening or appropriate assessment of plans or projects in accordance with the EU Habitats Directive.

Those activities that require consent of the Minister or in some circumstances another public authority listed at Schedule 4 to these Regulations are cited for their potential to cause disturbance or damage to the natural habitat types and animal and plant species specified in Schedule 3 of these Regulations. Landowners or occupiers should contact the local National Parks and Wildlife Service office of the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs before undertaking any of the works listed at Schedule 4. (See www.npws.ie for contact details). Please note that activities other than those listed at Schedule 4 to these Regulations, such as effluent discharge, construction work, aquaculture, fishing or forestry require a licence or permission from the appropriate consent authority.

These Regulations provide (Regulations 6 and 7) that contravention of the provisions of these Regulations shall constitute an offence. Regulation 6 also provides for penalties.

1 OJ No. L206, 22.07.1992, P. 7

  • Protection of Nature and Biodiversity
  • 2017
  • S.I. No. 221/2017