Eamon Gilmore
Question:178 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment the domestic body which will be given responsibility for coordinating national information for the European Environment Agency.
Written Answers. - European Environment Agency.
Eamon Gilmore
Question:179 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment the organisation in Ireland which he has proposed, or intends to propose, as topic centres to carry out specific tasks for the European Environment Agency.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 178 and 179 together.
It is intended to designate the Environmental Protection Agency as the national focal point for the European Environment Agency, in accordance with section 51 (1) (e) of the Environmental Protection Agency Bill, 1990, which provides for liaison between these two bodies.
Pending the entry into force of the Council Regulation relating to the European Environment Agency, a decision has not yet been made regarding the designation of bodies to act as Irish topic centres for the European environment information and observation network which will be co-ordinated by the new agency.