Vol. 535 No. 4
271 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Education and Science the EU directives relevant to his Department which are awaiting implementation; the nature of the directive; when it was passed by the Council of Ministers; the final date for implementation; and if this deadline will be met. [13013/01]
There are two EU directives awaiting transposition into Irish law through my Department. Directive 2000/5/EC amends Annexes C and D to Council Directive 92/51/EEC on a second general system for the recognition of professional education and training to supplement Council Directive 89/48/EEC. This directive, which came into effect in January 2000, will be transposed into Irish law by means of a statutory instrument. The provisions of the directive provide that member states must have adopted the necessary provisions to comply with the directive by 27 February 2001. In this context the procedures for the transposition of the directive into Irish law are under way and it is envisaged that these will be completed in the near future.
Directive 1999/42/EC provides for the establishment of a mechanism for the recognition of qualifications in respect of the professional activities covered by the directives on liberalisation and transitional measures and supplementing the general systems for the recognition of qualifications. This directive, which came into effect in January 1999, will also be transposed into Irish law by means of a statutory instrument. It is envisaged that this will take place within the timescale set out in the directive whereby member states must adopt the necessary provisions to comply with the directive before 31 July 2001.
