Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 15 Jun 1993

Vol. 432 No. 3

Written Answers. - Implementation of EC Directives.

John Bruton

Question:

109 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if his attention has been drawn to any EC action within his area of departmental responsibility against this State in respect of the failure of the State to transpose into Irish law an EC Directive; if so, if he will give details of each such directive; the purpose of the directive; and the reason for his Department's failure to transpose it into domestic Irish law to date.

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. Quinn)

I am taking the Deputy's reference to "EC action" to include both reasoned opinions and the institution of legal proceedings on the part of the Commission.

The position in regard to my area of responsibility is as follows: A Reasoned Opinion dated 20 January, 1992 was received from the EC Commission in respect of Council Directive 87/102/EEC requiring member states to provide for a minimum level of consumer protection in the area of credit. Following intensive consultations between the Department and the EC Commission, the Commission has not initiated further proceedings.

In the course of these discussions the Commission were informed of the Government's intention to implement the directive by way of an Act of the Oireachtas rather than by Regulations under the European Communities Act, 1972. Preparation of the Draft Consumer Credit Bill has necessitated considerable research and widespread consultation with a large number of bodies, institutions and individuals.

Final drafting of the Consumer Credit Bill is currently being undertaken and I expect the Bill to be enacted by year end.