Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 3 May 2001

Vol. 535 No. 3

Written Answers - EU Directives.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

36 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when EU Directive 97/7/EC on the protection of consumers in respect of distance contracts will be transposed into Irish law; the way in which this will be done; the options in the directive which are being taken up; the reason no public consultation is planned in regard to the directive; if the Government is facing legal action by the EU Commission over the failure to implement the directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12201/01]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. T. Kitt)

Directive 97/7/EC on the protection of consumers in respect of distance contracts will be transposed into Irish law during 2001 by way of Regulations to be made under the European Communities Act, 1972 (No. 27 of 1972). The Directive had been widely circulated to interested parties but public consultation is not envisaged. My Department is in receipt of a reasoned opinion from the European Commission in respect of non-transposition of the directive by the due date.

Question No. 37 answered with Question No. 31.

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

38 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of EU Directives for which her Department has responsibility which have yet to be implemented; the number in respect of which the deadline for implementation has passed; if she has satisfied herself with the rate of compliance by her Department; the steps she is taking to ensure compliance by her Department with all EU Directives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12184/01]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

The current position in relation to the transposition of EU directives for which my Department is responsible is available on my Department's website at http://www.entemp.ie/ecd/eudirectives.htm. This shows a total of 28 directives to be implemented, the deadline for ten of which the implementation date has passed.

I am satisfied that my Department is giving all due priority to the task of implementing the provisions of EU Directives, in the light of available resources.