Vol. 537 No. 2
56 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin 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 in regard to imple mentation of these directives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15736/01]
There are currently no EU directives awaiting implementation by my Department. With regard to the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), the European Commission has initiated proceedings against Ireland in the European Court of Justice, essentially for late transmission of our full list of sites. 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 Although counsel for the Commission made favourable mention of the recent progress made by Ireland, the case was not withdrawn. The advocate general's report is expected to be delivered very soon.
With regard to the Birds Directive (79/409/EEC), the Commission has initiated proceedings against Ireland in connection with overgrazing and the decline of red grouse in the Owenduff-Nephin Beg complex, a special protection area under the EU Birds Directive. Implementation of the rural environment protection scheme, administered by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, and the implementation of farm plans prepared by my Department, taking account of commonage framework plans, will address the overgrazing situation. With our legal advisers we have prepared a defence of our position in these proceedings, which have not yet reached a court hearing.
