Vol. 528 No. 1
19 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will list both the legal actions and complaints being investigated by the European Commission in regard to environmental matters in Ireland; the position in respect of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29450/00]
The position on legal actions and complaints being investigated by the European Commission in regard to environmental matters, which fall within the remit of my Department, is as follows.
There are two cases currently before the European Court of Justice. The first concerns the making of waste management plans. Ireland has submitted its defence and requested an oral hearing in this case, and the response of the European Court is awaited in this regard. In the second case court proceedings have been initiated in relation to statutory obligations primarily on certain private rural water supplies. Ireland is required to, and will, lodge a defence by 18 December 2000.
Current reasoned opinions under Article 226 of the Treaty concern the establishment of water quality standards for certain dangerous substances and the safe disposal of polychlorinated biphenyls and polychlorinated terphenyls. Water quality standards for phosphorus were made in July 1998. Draft regulations for water quality standards for a range of other dangerous substances are being finalised and will be made early in 2001. The Environmental Protection Agency is expected to address the safe disposal of PCB/PCT in the proposed national hazardous waste management plan.
A further 15 complaints are at a preliminary stage of investigation and another 21 are the subject of correspondence with the Commission. Details of these are set out in the following tables which will also be sent to the Deputy and circulated with the Official Report.
|
Commission'sReference |
Subject Matter |
Current Position |
|
2000/0835 |
Directive 99/32/EC Reduction in the sulphur content of certain liquid fuels. |
Regulations to transpose the Directive in preparation. |
|
2000/0081 |
Directive 96/61/EC Integrated Pollution, Prevention and Control. |
European Commission was advised that Directive has been substantially anticipated by EPA Act, 1992; will be fully implemented by means of appropriate amendments to the Act in the EPA (Amendment) Bill, the General Scheme for which has been approved by Government. |
|
2000/0628 |
Directive 98/08/EC The placing of biocidal products on the market. |
Consideration being given, by Departments/Agencies concerned, to arrangements for transposition and implementation of the Directive. |
|
2000/0626 |
Directive 98/81/EC Contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms. |
Regulations to transpose the Directive to be made shortly |
|
99/0111 |
Directive 98/77/EC Standards for replacement catalytic converters for vehicles and emission standards for the registration of new smaller LPG/CNG-fuelled vehicles. |
Interim reply issued 18/09/2000. Regulations to transpose the Directive to be made shortly. |
|
99/521794/2238 |
Pollution caused by Nitrates from Agriculture Directive 91/676/EEC. |
A comprehensive response is being prepared. Specific statutory provision to be made and vulnerable zones to be designated early in 2001. |
|
2000/408 |
Directive 75/442/EEC Re-opening of landfill at Drumabodan on the River Lenna, County Donegal. |
Reply to issue to the Commission very shortly. |
|
99/4801 |
Directive 75/442/EEC Waste disposal at Poolbeg Peninsula. |
A letter is currently being prepared on the basis of information received from Dublin Corporation. |
|
99/4478 |
Directives 75/442/EEC; 80/68/EEC Waste facility at Cullenagh, County Cork. |
A letter is in preparation based on information received from Cork County Council and the EPA. |
|
99/4351 |
Directives 75/442/EEC; 80/68/EC Licensing of Municipal Waste Disposal facility, Powerstown, County Carlow. |
Initial response in February 2000; now subject to further queries from the Commission. |
|
99/4099 |
Directive 94/62/EC Recovery targets for Packaging Waste. |
Reply being prepared. |
|
2000/2047 |
Directive 91/271/EEC Obligations associated with Directive concerning urban waste water treatment. |
Interim letter will issue soon. |
|
2000/2195 |
Directive 86/278/EEC on the protection of the environment, and in particular of the soil, when sewage sludge is used in agriculture. |
Reply due by 30 December, 2000. |
|
2000/0261 |
Directive 99/100/EC adapting to technical progress Directive 80/268/EEC relating to carbon dioxide emissions and the fuel consumption of motor vehicles. |
Interim reply issued 18/09/2000. |
|
Commission'sReference |
Subject Matter |
Current Position |
|
C-392/96 |
On the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment Directive 85/337/EEC as amended by 97/11/EC |
Substantially implemented by European Communities (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Amendment ) Regulations, 1999 and the Local Government (Planning and Development ) Regulations, 1999. A number of issues raised in the ruling by the European Court of Justice in September 1999 are being addressed in consultation with the Commission Services. A detailed letter issued to the European Commission on 14 November, 2000 and further consultations with the Commission will take place in early 2001. |
