Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 18 Feb 2003

Vol. 561 No. 4

Written Answers. - EU Directives.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

122 Mr. Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of EU directives for which her Department has responsibility which have yet to be implemented; the number in respect of which the deadline for implementation has passed; if she is satisfied with the rate of compliance by her Department; the number of cases where legal actions have been notified or commenced by the EU Commission arising from a failure to implement a directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4445/03]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney):

The current position in relation to the transposition of EU directives for which my Department is responsible indicates a total of 36 directives to be implemented, including 15 for which the deadline for implementation, in full or in part, has passed. Details of the directives, including, as far as has been decided, the proposed transposition instruments, are available on my Department's website at www.entemp.ie/ecd/eudirectives. The website also contains information on directives in respect of which infringement proceedings have been commenced. A letter of formal notice, under Article 226 of the treaty, has been issued by the European Commission in the case of six, and a Reasoned Opinion in the case of another two, of the outstanding directives for which the deadline for implementation has passed. I am satisfied that my Department is giving all due priority to the task of implementing the provisions of EU directives, in light of the available resources.