Vol. 496 No. 1
66 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if Directive No. 94/25/EC regarding recreational craft has been implemented in view of the fact that the deadline for implementation was 16 June 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21856/98]
EU Council Directive 94/25/EC of 16 June 1994 deals with the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the member states relating to recreational craft.
While the directive requires that member states apply the provisions of the directive from 16 June 1996, a transition period is provided for in Article 13(3) of the directive which means that the obligations deriving from the directive did not come into force until 16 June 1998.
The directive was transposed into Irish law by the European Communities (Recreational Craft) Regulations, 1998, (S. I. No. 40 of 1998). These regulations were made on 19 February 1998 and came into force on 28 February 1998.
Directive 94/25/EC is an example of a "New Approach" type directive which is aimed at achieving the free movement of goods which in turn will lead to the achievement of an open market for business in Europe. Its intention is to eliminate technical barriers to trade by approximating design and construction standards for recreational craft throughout the Community.
