Vol. 571 No. 2
309 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government the extra resources he has authorised to facilitate the enactment of outstanding EU directives; the directives outstanding; the reason for the delay in each case; and when the backlog will be cleared. [21535/03]
There are currently five outstanding directives in my department's area of responsibility for which formal transposition has yet to be made. These are No. 2001/18/EC on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms, No. 2001/80/EC on limitation of emissions of certain pollutants from large combustion plants, No. 2001/81/EC on national emissions ceiling for certain pollutants, No. 2003/17/EC amending Directive 98/70/EC on quality of petrol and diesel fuels, No. 2002/3/EC on ozone in ambient air.
Transposition of these directives is a priority. The need to apply additional resources is under active consideration to complete the process as quickly as possible. The delay is due mainly to the volume and complexity of legislation being adopted at EU level, and the need for appropriate consultation with stakeholders in a number of incidences.
