Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 11 Apr 2001

Vol. 534 No. 4

Written Answers - EU Directives.

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

58 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the progress made to date in implementing EU directives for which her Department has responsibility; the latest position regarding legal action by the EU Commission regarding implementation of these directives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10703/01]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 45 of 21 February 2001.

With regard to the EU Habitats Directive, the EU Commission initiated proceedings against Ireland in the European Court, essentially for late transmission of our full list of proposed special areas of conservation. Similar cases were taken against France and Germany. There was an oral hearing of this case in January. Although counsel for the Commission made favourable mention of the recent progress made by Ireland in transmitting a total of 362 sites covering almost one mill ion hectares of land and water the case was not withdrawn. The Advocate General's report is expected to be delivered next month. The position in regard to the proceedings initiated under the EU Birds Directive remains as outlined in my previous reply.