Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 24 Apr 1991

Vol. 407 No. 4

Written Answers. - EC Directive on Product Liabilities.

Mervyn Taylor

Ceist:

20 Mr. Taylor asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the extent to which Ireland is in default in implementing the EC Directive on Product Liability; the time-scale for the implementation of this directive which was imposed by the EC; the progress which has been made towards compliance with the directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Industry and Commerce (Mr. O'Malley):

The text of a Bill to implement the provisions of Council Directive 85/374/EEC on Liability for Defective Products was approved by Government on 23 April 1991. The Bill will be circulated within a day or two with a view to its enactment during the current Dáil session. The directive was due to be introduced in all member states by 30 July 1988, but this was not achieved.

As I explained in reply to Question No. 141 of 27 June 1990 (columns 1096-1907 of Official Report), the time taken in introducing legislation to give effect to the directive has been influenced by a number of unavoidable factors. These include a lengthy consultation process with a wide range of interested parties which was necessary, desirable and time-consuming.