Contributing to a public inquiry
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Public inquiries are a means of consulting the public prior to an administrative decision, for example in the fields of the environment, spatial planning or classified establishments.
The 2001 Aarhus Convention and its transposition at national level requires, in environmental matters, broad public participation in decision-making processes and access to information.
Who is concerned
Anyone who wishes to give their opinion on various public or private projects can contribute to a public inquiry.
Any person may contribute to a public inquiry:
- in their own name; or
- by representing a person or organisation (company, association, etc.).
Prerequisites
Public inquiries can be consulted on the National Portal for Public Inquiries (Portail national des enquêtes publiques).
For certain procedures, the file submitted to a public inquiry can also be consulted:
- either at the commune concerned;
- or at the competent authority.
In order to participate in public inquiries via the web portal, an internet connection is required.
To take part in certain surveys, it is necessary to have a "Private eSpace" on MyGuichet.lu.
In most cases, contributions can also be sent by traditional non-electronic means, i.e.:
- in writing;
- by post;
- by registered letter.
How to proceed
SELECTING A PUBLIC INQUIRY
From the National Portal for Public Inquiries, the public can view details of ongoing public inquiries and consult the file under public inquiry. The public can then select the public inquiry to which they wish to contribute.
CONTRIBUTING TO THE PUBLIC INQUIRY
Depending on the public inquiry chosen, participation is done:
- either by logging on to MyGuichet.lu;
- or without a connection to MyGuichet.lu.
In most cases, contributions can also be sent by traditional non-electronic means, i.e.:
- in writing;
- by post;
- by registered letter.
Participation with connection to MyGuichet.lu
The participant is redirected to MyGuichet.lu and connects using a LuxTrust product or their eID.
The participant's data is pre-filled with their personal data contained in the National Registry of Natural Persons (RNPP).
The participant can then contribute to the public inquiry.
In some public inquiries, they may give their opinion which can be:
- positive; or
- negative; or
- neutral.
In some public surveys, the participant can also indicate which commune is concerned by their contribution and which plots of land are involved.
In any case, they must write a text explaining their opinion and they also have the possibility of adding attachments to their contribution.
They must then transmit their contribution.
Once submitted, the participant automatically receives an acknowledgement of transmission in their Private eSpace on MyGuichet.lu.
The applicant can print the procedure in PDF format together with its acknowledgement of transmission.
For certain procedures, it is also possible to submit an anonymous contribution. In this case, the participant's contact details are not passed on to the relevant authority.
Participation without authentication
The participant is invited to enter certain personal data (surname, first name, etc.).
For certain procedures, it is also possible to submit an anonymous contribution.
The participant then contributes to the public survey and gives their opinion which can be:
- positive; or
- negative; or
- neutral.
The participant can also write a text explaining their opinion and they also have the possibility of adding attachments to their contribution.
They must then transmit their contribution.
Once it has been sent, the participant receives an acknowledgement of transmission by email.
The applicant can print the procedure in PDF format together with its acknowledgement of transmission.
PUBLICATION OF DECISIONS FOLLOWING PUBLIC INQUIRIES
The result of a public inquiry can be consulted on the National Portal for Public Inquiries, under the heading "Notices". In most cases, this is the publication of an administrative decision.
For certain procedures, the decision is also published by:
- by means of public displays (on noticeboards etc.); and/or
- a notice in the written press.
