Vol. 483 No. 3
75 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will use his power under section 111(1) of the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992 to reverse the agency's decision to allow the release of genetically engineered sugar beet into the environment for experimental purposes. [20048/97]
258 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will use his power under section 111(1) of the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992 to reverse the agency's decision to allow the release of genetically engineered sugar beet into the environment for experimental purposes. [20192/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 75 and 258 together.
Under the provisions of section 111 of the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992, the function of determining notifications for consent to undertake field trials — controlled experimental releases — of genetically modified organisms has been assigned to the Environmental Protection Agency in the Genetically Modified Organisms Regulations, 1994 — S.I. No. 345 of 1994. In accordance with section 79(3) of the Act, I am precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance in particular circumstances by the agency of a function assigned to it by or under the Act.
