Vol. 524 No. 1
29 Mr. O'Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason for the delay in enacting EU Directive 96/82/EC; the steps being taken to ensure its speedy implementation, having regard to the decision of the EU Commission to initiate legal proceedings against Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21571/00]
Directive 96/82/EC, also known as Seveso II, concerns the control of major accident hazards involving dangerous substances.
Ireland was one of six EU member states – Ireland, Portugal, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria and Belgium – against whom the EU Commission recently announced its intention to initiate legal action for its failure to transpose Directive 96/82/EC (Seveso II). Devising the proposed regulations European Communities (Control of Major Accident Hazards Involving Dangerous Substances) Regulations, 2000 has been extremely complex and involved the co-ordination across a number of concerned Departments and agencies. These regulations will be complemented by further regulations being completed by the Department of the Environment and Local Government on land use planning. In consultation with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to the Government, the regulations are now near completion, thereby permitting entry into force.
Ireland currently implements measures to give effect to the previous directive, Seveso I, on the prevention of major accident, for which regulations were created in 1986 with amendments in 1989 and 1992.
Seveso II is intended to upgrade the earlier provisions as well as broadening the scope of its application.
