The information requested by the Deputy in relation to directives issued under the treaties establishing the European Communities is set out as follows.
Council Directive 99/35/EC on a system of mandatory surveys for the safe operation of regular ro-ro ferries and high-speed passenger craft services will be implemented by way of statutory instrument and is expected to be transposed shortly. Member states are required to comply with the directive by 1 December 2000.
Transposition of Council Directive 98/45/EC amending Directive 91/67/EC concerning the animal health conditions governing the placing on the market of aquaculture animals and products will be by way of statutory instrument. Transposition is overdue. Reasoned opinion has been delivered by the Commission, pursuant to Article 226 of the EC Treaty, relating to the failure by Ireland to notify the Commission of measures taken to implement directive into national law.
Council Directive 98/30/EC of 22 June 1998 concerning common rules for the internal market in natural gas. Certain provisions – relating to upstream pipelines – have yet to be transposed into Irish law. Some sections of the directive will be implemented by the Department of Public Enterprise. There are discretionary elements in the directive and the advice of the Attorney General's office is being sought on whether primary legislation is required to implement the directive. The directive was due for transposition on 10 August 2000. No action has been taken by the European Commission to date.
