Vol. 572 No. 3
319 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science the EU directives relevant to his Department awaiting implementation; the nature of the directives; when each was passed by the Council of Ministers; the date for implementation; if the Government sought a derogation; and if he will meet the deadline as required. [23343/03]
EU Directive 2001/19 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2001 awaits transposition into Irish law through my Department. This directive amends Council Directives 89/48/EEC and 92/51/EEC on the general system for the recognition of professional qualifications which are the responsibility of my Department.
Directive 2001/19/EEC also amends Council Directives 77/452/EEC, 77/453/EEC, 78/686/EEC, 78/687/EEC, 78/1026/EEC, 78/1027/EEC, 80/154/EEC, 80/155/EEC, 85/384/EEC, 85/432/EEC, 85/433/EEC and 93/16/EEC concerning the professions of nurse responsible for general care, dental practitioner, veterinary surgeon, midwife, architect, pharmacist and doctor which come under the remit of the Department of Health and Children, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Department of Agriculture and Food. My Department is co-ordinating the transposition of this directive with the relevant Departments.
The provisions of the directive require member states to have adopted the necessary provisions to comply with the directive by 1 January 2003. 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 by the end of the year. It is not my intention to seek derogation from the implementation of these directives.
Questions Nos. 320 and 321 answered with Question No. 316.
