Written Answers. - EU Directives.
Trevor Sargent
Ceist:
98
D'fhiafraigh
Mr. Sargent
den
Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gaeltachta agus Oileán
cé na rialacha nó dlíthe a chuir isteach ar fhéiniúlacht nó ar thraidisiúin na tíre; agus cén plean atá aici an dochar seo a chur ina cheart.
[20732/00]
Proinsias De Rossa
Ceist:
100
Proinsias De Rossa
asked the
Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands
the EU directives or regulations which her Department has responsibility for implementing which, in her view, seriously impinge on our identity, culture and traditions; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[20220/00]
Deirdre Clune
Ceist:
102
Ms Clune
asked the
Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands
if, further to her address on 18 September 2000 at Boston College, Massachusetts, USA, she will provide details of the directives and regulations agreed in Brussels that can often seriously impinge on our identity, culture and traditions; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[20640/00]
Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:
111
Mr. J. O'Keeffe
asked the
Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands
the EU directives and regulations, which, according to her recent speech in Boston, can often seriously impinge on our culture, identity and traditions; and her view as to the way this occurs.
[20678/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 98, 100, 102 and 111 together.
I am pleased to have the opportunity to respond to these questions, which are prompted by a speech I gave at Boston College, Massachusetts, USA, on 18 September last. In the course of my speech, I referred to factors likely to have contributed to the Celtic tiger and was happy to acknowledge that our membership of the European Union had been a very important and positive factor in that context. I acknowledged that participation in the European Union has been good for Ireland. It has helped us to grow in self-confidence as a mature outward-looking democracy.
I see absolutely no contradiction between, on the one hand, acknowledging the benefits of EU membership and, on the other, highlighting the fact that at times insufficient weight is given to the principle of subsidiarity. All member states of the Union value the preservation of their separate identities, culture and traditions so if we feel that some community initiatives attach insufficient weight to these values, why not say so? In my experience, the bureaucracy of Brussels does not always respect the complexities and sensitivities of member states.
One example coming within my remit has been the implementation of the Habitats Directive. May I state categorically that I am committed to the implementation of the Habitats Directive and to the putting in place of the Natura 2000 network in Ireland. However, I consider that this can only be done successfully if there is acceptance of the necessary measures among farmers and other landowners and users for the purpose of designating special areas of conservation. The transposition of the Habitats Directive into Irish law took place in March 1997 under the previous Administration. Accordingly, I have sought since my appointment as Minister to put in place enhanced systems of consultation and of procedures for appeals/objections, with a view to bringing all interested parties on board, rather than imposing a system against people's will. This has inevitably led to some delay. However, I feel that a better understanding on the part of Brussels of the social and cultural factors involved, and the need to persuade rather than coerce, might lead to more positive and fruitful results – rather than proceeding by way of the purely legal remedy adopted of bringing Ireland before the European Court of Justice. Before I took office, no SAC sites had been transmitted to Brussels, but since my appointment, 315 of the proposed sites have been transmitted, leaving a balance of 48 outstanding. I intend to complete this process by the end of November.
I said in my speech in Boston that I look forward to a future in which Ireland will exercise a more vigilant, a more questioning attitude to the European Union. I spoke of the need for a debate in Ireland on our place in the European Union and its place in our lives. I am pleased at the extent of the public comment that has taken place since and I look forward to a continuation of this debate in the coming months.
One issue which will require serious debate is the area of public service broadcasting, particularly in light of indications that certain views may be held within the European Commission which may not coincide with Ireland's strong stance in regard to public service broadcasting as an area that must be left to individual member states and cannot be undermined.
