217. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42190/24]

The four-step process is set out in Guidance prepared by my Department in 2010 and also reflected by guidance published by the European Commission in 2002. I am satisfied that the steps being taken by agencies such as those referred to are appropriate.

The four steps are a commonly referred to as "procedures that may be followed when certain plans and projects are assessed in terms of their potential adverse effects on sites in the Natura 2000 network".

The first of these steps is "Stage 1. Screening for Appropriate Assessment", a process that addresses and records the reasoning and conclusions in relation to the first two tests of Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive, namely

• i) whether a plan or project is directly connected to or necessary for the management of the site, and

• ii) whether a plan or project, alone or in combination with other plans and projects, is likely to have significant effects on a Natura 2000 site in view of its conservation objectives.

If the potential effects of the proposals are deemed to be significant, potentially significant, or uncertain, or if the screening process becomes overly complicated, then the process must proceed to Stage 2 (Appropriate Assessment).

The process of screening is carried out by the competent authority. Agencies such as those referred to in the details supplied have published "Screening determinations" or "conclusion statements". Publishing such a determination after screening for Appropriate Assessment is a requirement of Regulation 42(18)(a) of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No 477 of 2011) as amended.