Vol. 486 No. 3
81 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on the comments made by EU Commissioner for the Environment, Mr Ritt Bjerregaard that many EU countries were failing to either implement or to comply with EU environmental directives; and if he will highlight this country's position in relation to the directive on nitrates and the EU waste plan. [2367/98]
I consider that the comments to which the Deputy refers do not apply in the case of Ireland.
Our record of implementing and complying with EU environmental legislation is creditable. The European Commission's 1997 report on implementation of Community legislation shows that, at end 1996, Ireland had implemented 96 per cent of directives due to be implemented at that time. Work is in hand to transpose the remaining directives as soon as possible. It is our policy to respond constructively and substantially to correspondence from the Commission regarding implementation and compliance.
Ireland has fully implemented the terms of the nitrates directive. As required under the directive, an extensive programme of monitoring was carried out by local authorites in 1992-3 to establish a baseline for assessing and combating nitrate pollution problems. The results of this monitoring showed that, in general, nitrate levels were well below the standard of 50 milligrammes per litre set in the directive for designating vulnerable zones. As a consequence, no such zones were designated here.
As required under the directive, a repeat programme of monitoring of nitrate levels in surface waters and groundwaters is currently being undertaken by local authorities and will be completed shortly. In addition, a comprehensive code of good agricultural practice to protect waters from pollution by nitrates was published in July 1996 and has since been promoted extensively within the farming community.
The position in relation to waste plans is that the waste management planning system is being very substantially developed and improved, under and in accordance with the Waste Management Act, 1996, and subsequent regulations. The EPA and local authorities are currently subject to legal obligations regarding waste planning which significantly exceed those imposed under relevant EU waste directives, and are making good progress in discharging these obligations.
We will maintain ongoing liaison with the Commission services in relation to the preparation of strategy studies and the making of waste plans. Overall this planning process is likely to be completed by the end of 1998.
