Public consultation on application for consent to conduct an offshore pipeline and subsea structure inspection to include repair and maintenance work as necessary and a near shore pipeline inspection at Corrib Offshore Pipeline and Umbilical system...

An application for consent for an offshore pipeline and subsea structure inspection to include repair and maintenance work as necessary and a near shore pipeline inspection at Corrib Offshore Pipeline and Umbilical system from the landfall valve site in Glengad, Co. Mayo to the Corrib Wells was received by the Petroleum Affairs Division of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications on 18 November 2020. The application has been received from Vermilion Exploration and Production Ireland Limited (VEPIL), within the Corrib Petroleum Lease, granted by the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications pursuant to Section 13 of the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act 1960.

The public are invited to make submissions in relation to this application. Submissions can be sent to PADadmin@decc.gov.ie. By responding to the consultation, respondents consent to their name being published online with the submission. We will redact personal addresses and personal email addresses prior to publication. We would draw your attention to our Data Privacy Statement and Data Privacy Notice.

The Department accepts petitions from the public. However, where petitions are submitted, each Petition Organiser should be aware that details provided by petition signatories when signing the petition (e.g. names, addresses, email addresses, telephone numbers etc) is categorised as ‘personal data’ which is subject to GDPR (EU Regulation 2016/679 ‘General Data Protection Regulation 2018’). Petition Organisers are Data Controller in respect of any personal data provided by petition signatories. Accordingly, where petitions are submitted you are required to confirm in your submission that:

all individuals whose personal data is provided in the Petition have consented to the processing of their personal data by the Petition Holder and the Department (as outlined in our Privacy Statement above),

OR

that you otherwise have a legal basis (please specify) for providing such personal data to the Department for the purposes of participation in this consultation.

This application was posted on 20 November 2020 and any submission received by close of business on 20 December 2020 will be considered by the Minister.

The following documents have been received:

EIA Screening Assessment: Further Information Request

Having considered the documents submitted by Vermilion Exploration & Production Ireland Limited (Vermillion) with their application, having regard to, inter alia, the requirements of the EIA Directive (Directive 2011/92/EU, as amended), in particular Article 4(4) and Annex IIA thereof, the observations received from notified bodies and the recommendation of external environmental consultants Ramboll UK Limited, it is considered that further information is required from the applicant to enable an EIA screening assessment be carried out on the Vermillion application.

On 23 December 2020, the further information considered necessary to enable an EIA screening assessment and determination be made in respect of the Vermillion application was sought from the applicant.

When received, the additional information will be published on the Department website and further submissions invited to be made on the additional material during a supplemental consultation period of 14 days. Any submissions received will be taken into account in carrying out an EIA Screening Assessment in respect of this application.

EIA Screening Assessment: Further Information Received

Further to the Department request, the Applicant has provided additional information so that an EIA Screening Assessment can be carried out. This additional information has been published on the Department's website on 22 January 2021.

The public are invited to make submissions in relation to the additional information until 5 February, 2021, which will be taken into account in carrying out an EIA screening assessment of the application. Submissions should be sent to EAU@decc.gov.ie

AA Screening Determination and Further Information Request for Stage 2 Appropriate Assessment

On 3 February, a determination was made, following screening under Regulation 42 of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 477 of 2011), as amended, that a Stage 2 Appropriate Assessment is required in respect of the proposed subsea infrastructure inspection and maintenance survey, the subject of the Vermillion application, as it cannot be excluded on the basis of objective scientific information that the proposed survey programme, individually or in combination with other plans or projects, will have a significant effect on a European Site.

By further notice dated 3 February, Vermillion has been directed to provide additional information considered necessary for the purposes of carrying out the Stage 2 Appropriate Assessment of the Vermillion application. When received, the additional material will be published on the Department website and the Vermillion application will be the subject of a 21-day public consultation for the purposes of conducting a Stage 2 Appropriate Assessment of the application.

Judicial Review

The validity of the AA Screening Determination may be questioned by Judicial Review under Order 84 of the Rules of the Superior Courts (S.I. No.15 of 1986), as amended. Any application for leave to apply for judicial review must be made promptly and in any event within three months from the date of the Determination. Practical information on Judicial Review can be obtained from the Citizens Information Board, Ground Floor, George's Quay House, 43 Townsend Street, Dublin 2 or from the Courts Website.

Disclaimer: The above is intended for information purposes. It does not purport to be a legally binding interpretation of the relevant provisions on judicial review and it would be advisable for persons contemplating legal action to seek legal advice.

Further to the Department request, the Applicant has provided the additional information required so that a Stage 2 Appropriate Assessment can be carried out on the application. This additional information can be found in the updated Natura Impact Statement document below.

The public are invited to make submissions on the application for the purposes of carrying out a Stage 2 Appropriate Assessment of the application, including in relation to the additional information provided by the Applicant, until 29 March 2021. Any submissions received will be taken into account in carrying out the Stage 2 Appropriate Assessment of the application. Submissions should be sent to EAU@decc.gov.ie

EIA Screening Determination

On 24 March, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Screening determination was made in accordance with Directive 2011/92/EU, as amended by Directive 2014/52/EU (EIA Directive) that the survey, inspection and maintenance programme proposed in the Vermillion application is not likely to have significant effects on the environment and, consequently, an Environmental Impact Assessment is not required, subject to the mitigation measures included in the EIA Screening Determination being included as conditions in any consent that may be granted in respect of the application. Further, that the applicant must seek prior approval from DECC if alternative survey vessel(s) are proposed, in which case confirmation of equivalence will be required and that the nature and extent of the proposed activities described in the EIA Screening Report have not materially changed.

Judicial Review

Please note that the validity of the EIA Screening Determination may be questioned by Judicial Review under Order 84 of the Rules of the Superior Courts (S.I. No.15 of 1986), as amended. Any application for leave to apply for judicial review must be made promptly and in any event within three months from the date of the Determination. Practical information on Judicial Review can be obtained from the Citizens Information Board, Ground Floor, George's Quay House, 43 Townsend Street, Dublin 2 or from the Courts Website.

Disclaimer: The above is intended for information purposes. It does not purport to be a legally binding interpretation of the relevant provisions on judicial review and it would be advisable for persons contemplating legal action to seek legal advice.

Appropriate Assessment Determination and Annex IV Species Assessment

On 10 May, an Appropriate Assessment determination was made under Regulation 42 of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 477 of 2011) (as amended), that the proposed survey, inspection and maintenance programme (either individually or in combination with any other plans or projects) will not adversely affect the integrity of any European site in view of the sites’ conservation objectives, subject to the implementation of the mitigation measures adopted in the Determination, which must be included as conditions in any consent that may be granted in respect of the Vermillion application.

It was further concluded that, should consent be granted in respect of the Vermillion application, the proposed survey, inspection and maintenance programme will not have an adverse effect on the conservation status of Annex IV species that may be present in the area, subject to the to the implementation of all the mitigation measures adopted, which must be included as conditions in any consent that may be granted in respect of this application.

Should alternative vessel(s) be proposed, Vermillion must seek approval from the Department prior to commencement of the proposed activities and this must also be included as a condition to any consent that may be granted in respect of this application.

The AA Determination and Annex IV Species Assessment and the relevant documents are available below.

Judicial Review

Please note that the validity of the AA Determination / Annex IV Species Assessment may be questioned by Judicial Review under Order 84 of the Rules of the Superior Courts (S.I. No.15 of 1986), as amended. Any application for leave to apply for judicial review must be made promptly and in any event within three months from the date of the Determination. Practical information on judicial review can be obtained d from the Citizens Information Board, Ground Floor, George's Quay House, 43 Townsend Street, Dublin 2 or from the Courts Website.

Disclaimer: The above is intended for information purposes. It does not purport to be a legally binding interpretation of the relevant provisions on judicial review and it would be advisable for persons contemplating legal action to seek legal advice.

• Application Decision
• Decision Documentation