180. The Act of 1933 is amended by the insertion of the following section after section 13B:

“13C. (1) Subsection (2) applies where a local authority that is a planning authority (within the meaning of the Act of 2000)—

(a) applies for approval for a proposed development under—

(i) section 226 of the Act of 2000, or

(ii) on and after the coming into operation of section 12(2) of the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021, section 175 of the Act of 2000, or

(b) has an approval referred to in paragraph (a).

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other enactment, it shall not be necessary for—

(a) the local authority to submit an Environmental Impact Assessment Report in connection with its application under this Act for a lease or licence for the proposed development, or

(b) the appropriate Minister to undertake an environmental impact assessment in determining an application referred to in paragraph (a).”.