asked the Minister for Energy if, in respect of the 1992 European project and the completion of the internal market and in respect of the 279 directives which together comprise the legislative task necessary to give legal effect towards the completion of the internal market, he will give the following information in so far as it impacts upon his Department: (i) the number of directives that have been passed and the title of each directive so categorised, (ii) the number of directives which remain to be passed and the title of each directive so categorised and (iii) the number of directives which have been passed, delayed or otherwise held up as a consequence of reservations entered by his Department; if, in respect of such delays or reservations he will give details of the Irish position; the action, if any, he proposes to take in order to ensure that the 1992 project is achieved and Ireland's interests are safeguarded; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - EC Directives on Internal Market.
None of the EC directives referred to by the Deputy come within the direct area of my responsibility. However, a proposal to amend Directive 77/93 on plant health matters has an impact on aspects of my Department's forestry activities but is the primary responsibility of the Minister for Agriculture and Food. Similarly, the Draft Directive on Public Procurement will have an impact on matters pertaining to entities operating in the energy sector but is the responsibility of the Minister for Finance. The views of my Department have been taken into account in the discussion to date on these two proposals. These are being addressed by the relevant Ministers in their replies.
As a step towards completion of the internal market the Commission recently presented to the Council three draft directives on energy matters. These are:
(a) Draft Directive on the Transit of Natural Gas through the major systems.
(b) Draft Directive on the Transit of Electricity through transmission grids.
(c) Draft Directive to improve Transparency of Prices in the gas and electricity sectors charged to industrial end users.
Discussions on these proposals are at a very early stage and conclusions are not expected for some time.