Vol. 470 No. 6
98 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the action, if any, he has taken to ensure that the British authorities have properly complied with the recently adopted EU Council Directive 96/29/Euratom of 13 May 1996, which lays down revised basic safety standards for the protection of the health of workers and the general public against the dangers arising from ionising radiation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19609/96]
Under the provisions of EU Council Directive 96/29/Euratom, each member state has until the 13 May 2000 to bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with the Directive. Member states are obliged to forward the relevant texts to the EU Commission. The responsibility to meet this deadline rests with the British authorities. I do not have any specific function as regards ensuring compliance. However the EU Commission is empowered to take proceedings under Article 169 of the EU Treaty against member states who fail to comply with Directive obligations.
