Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Jan 1998

Vol. 486 No. 1

Written Answers. - Directives Implementation.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

714 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the EU, ECSC or EURATOM directives wholly or partly under the auspices of her Department that are not fully implemented; the subject, date and reference number of each; the date on which implementation is or was due; the proposed mode of implementation, that is a Bill or a statutory instrument; when it is proposed to implement the directive in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1071/98]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera):

The following directives come within the categories referred to by the Deputy.

Council Directive No. 97/62/EC of 27 October 1997, adapting to technical and scientific progress Council Directive No. 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, known as the Habitats Directive. The new Directive replaces Annexes I and II of the Habitats Directive. Article 2 of the new Directive requires that all member states shall bring into force the necessary legal and administrative provisions to comply with it by 31 December 1997. It is proposed to implement the Directive by means of a Statutory Instrument which will amend the European Communities (Habitats Directive) Regulations, 1997. A draft of the Statutory Instrument has been prepared and will be signed by me as soon as the legal consideration of it has been completed.

Directive 97/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 June 1997 amending Council Directive 89/552/EEC on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in member states concerning the pursuit of television broadcasting activities. This Directive must be brought into force in Irish laws, regulations and administrative provisions not later than 31 December 1998. The proposed mode of implementation is likely to be by primary legislation and Statutory Instrument.