Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 10 Oct 2002

Vol. 555 No. 1

Written Answers. - EU Directives.

Bernard Allen

Question:

245 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the directives issued under the treaties establishing the European Communities any provision of 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; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17628/02]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Cullen)

Details in relation to the directives in question are set out in the following table:

Directive No.	Subject	Method Bill/ Statutory Instrument	Deadline for Transposition into Irish Law	Current Position	Enforcement Proceedings
1976/464/EEC	Establishment of water quality standards for certain dangerous substances under the Dangerous Substances Directive	S.I.	No deadline specified in Directive	The Dangerous Substances Directive has been substantially implemented in Ireland by the Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts 1977 and 1990 and by related Acts and regulations e.g. the EPA Act 1992, and the Waste Management Act 1996.Water quality standards for phosphorus were made in July 1998 and for a range of other dangerous substances in January 2001. It is envisaged that the Directive will be further implemented in the context of implementation of the Water Framework Directive (60/200/EEC).	European Court of Justice proceedings initiated in relation to non-transposition/implementation.
1980/778/EEC	Drinking Water	S.I.	18/07/1982	Implemented by European Communities (Quality of Water intended for Human Consumption) Regulations 1988 and subsequent amendments. The most recent amending regulations were made on 20 June, 2000.	European Court of Justice proceedings advanced in relation to statutory obligations on private rural water supplies.
1991/676/EEC	Designation of vulnerable zones under the Nitrates Directives and related issues	S.I.	When required by reference to water quality data	Proposals are being developed for an action programme, including Regulations, to strengthen the application of good agricultural practice in all areas and to give further effect to the Nitrates Directive and other directives in relation to waste and water quality. The detailed provisions of these regulations and action programme will be developed in consultation with farming and other interests.	European Court of Justice proceedings initiated in relation to non-implementation

Directive No.	Subject	Method Bill/ Statutory Instrument	Deadline for Transposition into Irish Law	Current Position	Enforcement Proceedings
1996/61/EC	Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control	Bill	29/10/1999	A Bill to amend the licensing provisions of both the EPA Act, 1992 and the Waste Management Act, 1996 is included - the Government's legislation programme for Autumn 2002. This amending legislation will bring the two existing licensing systems administered by the EPA (IPC licensing and waste licensing) fully into line with the IPPC Directive	Article 226 letter
1999/13/EC	Limitation of emissions of VOC compounds	S.I.	April 2001	Draft regulations in preparation subject to ongoing consultations with relevant bodies	Reasoned Opinion
1999/22/EC	Keeping of wild animals in zoos		09/04/2002	Arrangements for transposition being developed.
2000/53/EC	End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs)	S.I.	21/04/2002	Preferred implementation approach via voluntary agreement between DEOG and economic sectors involved. Negotiations on main aspects of implementation concluded satisfactorily. Operational systems and procedures currently being designed.	Article 226 letter
2000/60/EC	Establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy	S.I.	22/12/2003	Extensive arrangements being made for implementation in relation to all inland and coastal waters, including cross-border waters.
2000/76/EC	Incineration of Waste	S.I.	28/12/2002	Draft regulations will be prepared shortly
2001/18/EC	Deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms	S.I.	17/10/2002	Draft regulations transposing the Directive in preparation
2001/42/EC	Assessment of certain plans and programmes on the environment – SEA Directive	To be decided	20/07/2004	Departments asked to identify plans which will come within the terms of the Directive. EU Working Group established to draw up guidance on implementation of the Directive

Directive No.	Subject	Method Bill/ Statutory Instrument	Deadline for Transposition into Irish Law	Current Position	Enforcement Proceedings
2001/80/EC	Limitation of emissions of certain pollutants into the air from large combustion plants	S.I.	27/11/2002	Draft regulations in preparation with a view to transposition by due date.
2001/81/EC	National emission ceilings for certain atmospheric pollutants	S.I.	27/11/2002	A Discussion Paper will be published for comment this year. Following assessment of responses, a draft Strategy will be prepared for Government consideration.
2002/3/EC	Ozone in Ambient Air	S.I.	09/09/2003	Draft regulations under consideration.