EU Directives.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 June 2004

Thursday, 17 June 2004

Questions (32)

Joe Sherlock

Question:

29 Mr. Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of EU directives for which her Department has responsibility that have yet to be implemented; the number of directives where the deadline for implementation has passed; if she is satisfied with the rate of compliance by her Department; and the number of cases where legal actions have been notified or commenced by the EU Commission arising from a failure to implement a directive. [18089/04]

Written answers

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

A total of 21 directives must be implemented, including three for which the deadline for implementation, in full or in part, has passed.

Details of the directives, including, in so far as it was decided, the proposed transposition instruments, are available on my Department's website www.entemp.ie/trade/eudirectives. The website also contains information on directives where infringement proceedings have commenced. A number of them were transposed but are still the subject of legal proceedings by the EU Commission. The Commission issued a letter of formal notice, under Article 226 of the Treaty for one of the directives that have not been transposed and its deadline has passed.

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