The Wicklow Greens have welcomed the recent proposal by the Department of Health that Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) should be replaced with Environmental Health Impact Assessments (EHIAs). The recommendation is one of a number contained in a Department of Health draft environmental health action plan for Ireland entitled "A Shared Vision for Quality of Life". According to Green Party councillor, Déirdre de Búrca, this measure is one that has been strongly promoted by her own party. "It just isn't possible, or sensible, to examine the environmental impacts of a new development in isolation from its potential health impacts" she says. "We have already had a number of high profile planning cases in County Wicklow - including the proposed pet crematorium for Redcross and the mobile phone mast at Ballard Upper - where local objectors found that their concerns about the health impacts of these developments were outside of the remit of an Bord Pleanála. This situation cannot continue. People need to be reassured that new developments that are being considered by the local authority and the Board are fully assessed for any adverse health impacts that they may have on residents living nearby". Councillor de Búrca points out that Environmental Health Impact Assessments would be particularly important where proposed sites for new landfills are being investigated, as recent studies have suggested that the health impact from living close to a landfill can be very serious particularly where pregnant mothers are concerned.. "It is not acceptable that local authorities continue to make planning decisions which exclude a detailed consideration of the possible health impacts of the new development"she says. Councillor de Búrca claims that she is extremely disappointed with the initial response of the Department of the Environment to the Department of Health's new proposal. "The Department of the Environment said it could not accept that the system of EIA would become a system of Environmental Health Impact Assessment as such a change would require more stringent planning legislation" she says."However, the draft environmental health plan is due for discussion among a Cabinet sub-committee in January. It is really up to members of the public to let their public representatives know that they want to see these changes implemented. After all, it is public health and the health of our children that is at stake in many cases and we must ensure that the planning process is rigorous enough to identify any potential public health threats posed by new developments".

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