Vol. 493 No. 3
308 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government whether a defence has been filed in the case against Ireland in the European Court on foot of the environmentally damaging afforestation policy that has been pursued; if he will give an overview of the arguments adduced by Ireland in its defence of this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16048/98]
The European Commission initiated proceedings against Ireland in the European Court on 5 December, 1996 for alleged failure to adequately transpose the EU Directive on Environmental Impact Assessment (85/337/EEC). The action by the Commission primarly relates to one aspect of Ireland's transposition of the directive i.e. the levels at which EIA should be required for projects involving afforestation, peat extraction and intensification of agriculture. In its defence Ireland has contended that full effect has been given in Ireland to the directive since the introduction of the European Communities (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations, 1989 and other relevant regulations.
A full defence has been lodged and an oral hearing requested. A date for the hearing is awaited from the European Court of Justice.
