Vol. 501 No. 4
61 Ms McManus asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has received any report from the Environment Protection Agency regarding genetically modified organisms and the environment; if he has satisfied himself that the agency has the adequate powers to refuse permits for trials; the plans, if any, he has to legislatively strengthen the agency's role in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6155/99]
I have not sought or received a report from the Environmental Protection Agency regarding genetically modified organisms and the environment.
The powers vested in the agency under the Genetically Modified Organisms Regulations 1994 (S.I. No. 345 of 1994), inter alia, serve to transpose into national law the competent authority provisions of two EU Directives, Directives 90/219/EEC on the contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms, and 90/220/EEC on the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms to the environment. I am satisfied that the agency has adequate powers under part III of the above-mentioned regulations to refuse consent to a field trial, arising from its consideration of any specific notification of intent given to it in this regard.
Directive 90/219/EEC has been updated and strengthened by amending Directive 98/81/EC of 26 October 1998. I will be amending the 1994 regulations for the purpose of transposing the provisions of the amending directive into national law by June 2000. In addition, a proposal from the European Commission to update Directive 90/220/EEC is under consideration by the EU Council of Environment Ministers and is likely to give rise to a further updating of the 1994 regulations in due course.
