Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister. Senator Garvey mentioned battery storage. Unfortunately, the reality is that there are currently no regulations or safety framework for battery storage under any of the county development plans. Recently in counties Cavan and Kildare, planning permission was given for battery storage, and I think both cases are now before An Bord Pleanála. The reality is that we do not have any safety framework to take into consideration when deciding on an application for battery storage. That is not correct or fair. Planning permission is being given in rural areas beside households. It is recognised that there are dangers associated with battery storage, in particular. If a battery storage unit goes on fire, there is supposed to be access to sufficient water to put it out, yet planning permission has been given in areas where that is not the case. It seems to be a case of letting the facility burn, for however long that lasts. Given what has happened in other countries, that could be for several days or weeks.

There is also the issue of the residue, which could seep into watercourses. Section 49 sets out an obligation to prepare a strategy on the environment and climate change. Section 49(2)(e) states the strategy shall include objectives relating to the "reduction of the risk of serious danger to human health or the environment arising from a major accident having regard to the Seveso III Directive, and the limitation and mitigation of the consequences".That is in this section, but the reality is that batteries are not classified as chemicals, despite the fact that they are. They do not come under the Seveso III directive, which is in place to make sure we can safeguard where we give planning permission to these battery storage units. We need them. I totally accept that but we need them to be in appropriate locations. We need to put in place the safety framework so that these decisions are made based on it. I ask that consideration be given, when looking at section 49, to batteries coming under that directive. We talk about working with and empowering communities when we are making these decisions and bringing communities with us. If we do that, that can be the case. Let the decisions be made based on a safety framework, which is not in place. There are significant concerns in a large number of local communities. Environmental impact studies are not done on these applications. We cannot foist these facilities on rural or urban communities without proper due consultation, consideration and especially, the consideration under a safety framework, which is not in place.

Will the Minister look at section 49(2)(e) and take into consideration the classification of batteries because they are chemicals? Chemicals leak. We all know that from every battery we have so they should be considered under the directive.