That is a good question and I will answer it. As every Member is aware, I have made regulations in recent months concerning the keeping of wild animals in zoos, the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms into the environment, the quality of petrol and diesel, end-of-life vehicles and the protection of the environment. I have provided for the transposition of directives and integrated pollution prevention control.
The simple reason for the Commission's actions is bureaucracy. The machinery involved means there is a time lapse between notification and action. I am amazed at how long it takes in some instances before the Commission writes to inform one it is no longer pursuing a case. It can be a year after one has sorted everything out before the Commission gets around to acknowledging it. This is not just an Irish perspective as legal actions are very common across Europe. In 2001, the Commission took 71 cases against member states in the European Court under environmental directives. Once the Commission has been notified that directives have been transposed and regulations put in place, there can be quite a time lag before acknowledgement is received.