Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 10 Oct 1995

Vol. 456 No. 6

Written Answers. - Environmental Protection.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

160 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if he will be opposing the proposals of the EU's independent expert group on legal and administrative simplification which include weakening of EU environmental protection measures and approval of deregulation measures; and if he will object to the failure of this expert group to consult environmental NGOs and trade unions. [12084/95]

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. R. Bruton)

I assume that the Deputy is referring to the report of the group of independent experts on legislative and administrative simplification known as the Molitor group which was published recently and which was submitted to the meeting of the Council held at Cannes on 26-27 June 1995. The European Council noted the outcome of the discussions of the Molitor group and indicated that it would like the Commission to propose specific measures for administrative simplification which could be taken by the competent bodies before the end of year.

The onus is therefore on the Commission to bring forward proposals in relation to the matters reported on by the Molitor group. Proposals being developed by the Commission for the Madrid Council will be assessed as they emerge.

In responding to any proposals that may be brought forward by the Commission in relation to environmental protection we will place paramount importance on the need to maintain a high level of environmental protection in line with the approach set out by the Government in its programme,A Government of Renewal.

As regards consultations carried out by the Molitor group, this was a matter for the group itself, which was an independent one consisting of people with considerable experience in business, administration and related fields. I am therefore not in a position to comment on this aspect.