A high court challenge was filed by an environmental group against Meath Co Council’s refusal to reveal information about compliance with financial contributions conditions imposed on a few quarries as part the operating permissions.
Eco Advocacy CLG is a non-governmental organisation that advocates environmental rights. It claims the council denied it access to information that it believes is crucial to determine if unauthorised development is occurring and if there is any threat to the environment.
Kieran Cummins (executive director of Eco Advocacy) states in an affidavit the requests for information were made in relation two Keegan Quarries operations, Duleek and Trammon; three facilities operated at Trammon, Rathcore or Kilmessan; and one quarry operated and owned by Lagan in Kinnegad.
Requests
The council denied the requests last August, claiming that the requested information was not environmental information as defined in EU access to information regulations. The council also stated that the requested information was already available to the public and could be purchased for a fee.
A senior council official requested an internal review of the decision and denied the application again, stating that it did not meet the requirements for environmental information.
Cummins claims he has exhausted all avenues to obtain the documents. A court application was filed to judicially review the decision.
It seeks an order to quashed the refusal and a declaration that the information falls within the access-to-information regulations. It is also claimed that the council erred in legal interpretation and misinterpreted these regulations.
Mr Justice Charles Meenan granted permission on certain grounds and adjourned the matter to June. The application was on a one-side only basis.