AQW 4389/22-27

Mr Jim Allister KC
Traditional Unionist Voice
North Antrim

Tabled Date: 10/10/2022
Answered On Date: 24/10/2022
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs what will be the impact on Northern Ireland as a result of the EU Industrial Emission Directive and the associated costs.

Answer:

The EU Industrial Emission Directive has been brought into effect in Northern Ireland by the Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations (NI) 2013, as amended.

The EU is currently carrying out a publicised revision of the EU Directive 2010/75/EU, often known as the Industrial Emissions Directive (“IED”). The IED has been in operation for several years, so it is assumed that the Member’s question relates to the EU’s proposed revisions.

There are some new provisions in the EU’s revision of the IED which, if brought into finalised law, may impact upon NI. However, these proposals are still at the preliminary stage.

In addition, the only provisions that may currently apply to NI would be those that specifically relate to Large Combustion Plants (“LCPs”) feeding into the single energy market. This is because, of all the provisions of the IED, the NI Protocol only includes LCPs that contribute to the single energy market. For all the other areas applying to the IED, NI is, at least currently, aligned with GB. For these reasons, it is difficult to ascertain at this early stage what the impact and the associated costs will be for NI of the proposed revision to the IED.