The Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment is designated as the Single Point of Contact (SPC) for net-zero technology manufacturing projects in Ireland.
The Single Point of Contact is responsible for facilitating and coordinating the permit granting process for net-zero technology manufacturing projects, including for net-zero strategic projects. The SPC will be the sole point of contact and will act as the coordinating interface between the project promoter and the permit issuing bodies involved in the permit-granting process of the project.
The SPC email address is SPCNZIA@enterprise.gov.ie.
Permit granting process
The permit-granting process under the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA) is defined as a process that covers all relevant permits to build, expand, convert and operate net-zero technology manufacturing projects and net-zero strategic projects. The relevant permits per phase of project are set out below. There are some mandatory permits required, such as planning permission, commencement notices, fire safety certificates and disability access certificates. Other permits are project specific.
Pre-planning
Regulation 54 Derogations, Maritime Area Consents, Maritime Usage Licence.
Planning
Planning Permission, Excavation Licence, Ministerial Consents, Detection Device Consent, Dive Licence.
Pre-construction
Commencement Notice and 7 Day Notice, Fire Safety Certificate, Disability Access Certificate, Section 50 Consent, Water and Wastewater Service Connection Agreement, Section 39A (Gas Pipeline Consent), Wayleave Consents (Section 48/49), Grid Connection Offer (Eirgrid, ESB, GNI), Tree Felling Licence, Forest Road Licence.
Construction
Section 254 Licence, Road Opening Licence, Abnormal Load Permit, Afforestation Licence.
Operation and maintenance
Discharge to Waters Licence, Dangerous Substance Licence, Section 16 Trade Effluent Licence, Integrated Pollution Control Licence, Industrial Emissions Licence, Green House Gas Emissions Permit, Water Abstraction Licence, Waste Facility Permit, Waste Collection Permit, Waste Licence, (Volatile Organic Compound Permit and Genetically Modified Organisms Licence rarely required for any project).