Vol. 401 No. 4
64 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for the Environment if, in the EC Council of Ministers, Ireland supported the view of the European Parliament that the European Environment Agency should have an inspection role and that there should be a notification requirement imposing on member states the obligation to make available to the agency all the information it will require to carry out its duties; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Council of Environment Ministers on 22 March 1990 reached agreement on a regulation dealing with the establishment of a European Environment Agency. The regulation incorporated the substance of a number of amendments proposed by the European Commission on foot of the Opinion adopted by the European Parliament on 14 March. The question of an inspectorate did not arise in this context. However, one of the amendments provides for a review of the Regulation within two years, with a view to the allocation of further tasks to the agency including, inter alia, possible involvement in monitoring the implementation of Community environmental legislation, in co-operation with the Commission and competent bodies in member states.
The agency will agree the necessary arrangements, contractual or otherwise, with the bodies comprising the European Environment Information and Observation Network, in order to fulfil its tasks. No difficulties are envisaged with this procedure.
