Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 27 Feb 2002

Vol. 549 No. 4

Written Answers. - EU Directives.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

308 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the provisions of the directives issued under the treaties establishing the European Communities which comes under the auspices of his Department which have not yet been transposed into law; if such transposition will be effected by Bill or statutory instrument; if transposition is overdue; if so, the steps taken by the European Commission by way of enforcement in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7163/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

There are two EU directives currently awaiting transposition into Irish law through my Department.

Directive 2000/5/EC amends Annexes C and D to Council Directive 92/51/EEC on a second general system for the recognition of professional education and training to supplement Council Directive 89/48/EEC. This directive, which came into effect in January 2000, will be transposed into Irish law by means of a statutory instrument. The provisions of the directive provide that member states must have adopted the necessary provisions to comply with the directive by 27 February 2001. In this context the procedures for the transposition of the directive into Irish law are under way and it is envisaged that these will be completed in the near future.

Directive 1999/42/EC provides for the establishment of a mechanism for the recognition of qualifications in respect of the professional activities covered by the directives on liberalisation and transitional measures and supplements the general systems for the recognition of qualifications. This directive, which came into effect in January 1999, will also be transposed into Irish law by means of a statutory instrument. The procedures for the transposition of the directive into Irish law are under way and it is envisaged that these will also be completed in the near future.

In the case of both of these directives, the Commission has issued a letter of formal notice, which is the first action taken when the deadline for implementation has passed.