Sean Finlay, Director, Geoscience Ireland

Presentation for EPA H2020 Information Day

October 7th 2016

OVERVIEW• Public Perception & Understanding (PPU) - a key issue

for Developers and R&D

• Social Licence to Operate (SLO)- needs PPU !

• Geoscience-related planning applications

• Significant Case Studies

• Consultation –An Evolving Science

Review of Geoscience-related planning applications (2000 -2016)

No. of Projects assessed = 52

Success Rate = 73%

Consultation Approach –Varied but majority limited and localised

Corrib Gas –A multinational in a rural coastal peninsula• Shell E&P Ireland Ltd. Local and State

Consultation: Planning 2001-2011; Project Completed late 2015

• First application unsuccessful: peat and g/water issues; substantial modifications; Cost overrun (€1Bn to €3Bn); Policing cost = approx. €20M

• Significant community gain (ABP condition €8.5m; €7m in other community projects, €22m in local road upgrades)

The West’s Awake!

Tara Mines – Industry Beneath our Feet• Discovered 1970; Ext. Local Consultation & EIS• Planning 1973;Production since 1977• 1980’s - 2012; Multiple permissions for extensions

to mine and TMF• EPA Approvals • Current Application for new TMF• Promoting Green Agenda (Wind/ ICW)

Lisheen Zinc Lead Mine, Co. Tipperary • Discovered 1990; by Ivernia West &Chevron JV• Extensive Scoping and Consultation re: EIS; Minimal Objections• Operated from 1998 to 2015• CRAMP Implemented;$33M Bond (Photo below from July, 2016)• After-use includes Wind Farms (latest permitted Sept. 2016)

Waste to Energy

• Dublin Waste to Energy (Covanta/Poolbeg) – Extensive Local & Statutory Consultation (c €3m+)

• Inception late 1990’s; Planning 2000-2014 incl. High & European Courts; Construction 2015 -2017

R&D for PPU• GSI- Attitudinal Study by SLR (completed)

• iCRAG Projects: 2 no post docs to provide relevant geoscience information to decision makers

• GSI Projects : 2 Post docs research funding (currently open) :(i) Socio-economic impact of geoscience activities (including Ireland)(ii) Assessing public understanding of geoscience and risk perception in Ireland

• Irish Research Council-GSI : 3 projects:(i) Public Perception (ii) Public and health policy in relation to groundwater resources (iii) Economic and public policy for the development of geothermal energy in Ireland