Vol. 510 No. 6
84 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the implications for Ireland of the judgment given in the European Court of Justice on 21 September 1999 arising from a complaint made by the European Commission; the steps, if any, he proposes to take to strengthen legislative protection for natural sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19132/99]
95 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the position regarding the legal proceedings being taken by the EU against Ireland as a result of damage occurring to natural habitats through overgrazing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19131/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 84 and 95 together.
The decision of the Court of Justice of the European Community concerned the transposition by Ireland of directive 85/337-EEC on environmental impact assessment. The court decided that Ireland did not correctly transpose the directive in a number of respects, particularly in relation to the application of environmental impact assessment to afforestation and peat extraction. It also decided that the European Commission had not proven its case in relation to overgrazing.
The court's decision is currently being considered by my Department and by the Office of the Attorney General. Pending the completion of this consideration, I am not in a position to indicate what amendments to national procedures may be necessary.
