Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 19 Apr 1994

Vol. 441 No. 5

Written Answers. - EU Directives.

Liz O'Donnell

Question:

86 Ms O'Donnell asked the asked the Taoiseach, in regard to the area of his responsibility, the Directives or other measures requiring transposition under EU law which have been adopted by the EU Council or Commission but which have not yet been transposed by Ireland; the Directives or measures requiring transposition where the date for transposition has passed; the Directives or measures or other matters of EU law in respect of which the European Commission has issued a letter to Ireland under Article 169 (Infringement Proceedings) of the EC Treaty; the Directives, measures or matters in respect of which the European Commission has issued a reasoned opinion to Ireland under Article 169; the matters in respect of which proceedings against Ireland are pending before the Court of Justice of the European Union; the matters in respect of which a judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union against Ireland has been given but has not been implemented; and the judgments in respect of which proceedings have been initiated under Article 171 (Failure to Implement Judgement) of the EEC Treaty.

The Taoiseach

My Department is not directly responsible for implementation of EU legislation. Such implementation is the responsibility of the relevant Government Departments within whose remits individual measures lie.

In relation to the Central Statistics Office, it is complying to the extent required with all EC statistical legislation with the exception of Directive 78/166 concerning co-ordinated statistics on the business cycle in building and civil engineering. This Directive has presented difficulties to a number of member states including Ireland and has not been pursued by the EU.

The Deputy may wish to note that the European Co-Ordination Committee chaired by Deputy Tom Kitt, Minister of State at my Department with responsibility for European Affairs, recently examined the situation in regard to transposition of EU law in Ireland and its recommendations in the matter were approved by the Government. As a result all Departments have been directed to accord greater priority to transposition of EU law and the European Co-Ordination Committee has undertaken a new monitoring role in this regard.