Environmental Consultancy Services in relation to gasfield decommissioning

Description

The Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment is seeking to engage consultants to provide environmental expertise to assist in its statutory assessment of Environmental Statements and Natura Impact Screening Statements / Natura Impact Statements to be submitted in respect of an application to decommission of gas fields. The application will be for the decommissioning of offshore gas fields with an onshore component. The activities must be assessed to establish if they would be likely to have a significant effect on the environment. It is also necessary to consider the potential impacts of such activities on the integrity of Natura 2000 sites with respect to Article 6(3) of Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (the “Habitats Directive”), which is transposed into Irish law by the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 477 of 2011). Environmental consultancy services will be required to assist with carrying out assessments under the EIA and Habitats Directives and Irish transposing legislation in respect of an application for a consent to decommission. The services required will involve specialist knowledge in respect of environmental impacts, including biodiversity impacts on the marine and terrestrial environment and environmental impacts on habitats and the environment generally onshore and offshore. An up to date and in depth knowledge of the Habitats and EIA Directives requirements will be essential.