In April 2003, my Department issued a formal reply in response to a complaint from the European Commission alleging inter alia, failure by Ireland to designate shellfish growing waters in accordance with obligations under EU Council Directive 79/923 on the quality of shellfish waters. The response advised that the Department will be addressing the issue of designation of all appropriate shellfish waters under the directive, the preparation of programmes in respect of designations and the setting of values for specific parameters under the directive. The European Court judgment, published on 11 September 2003, found that Ireland has failed to fulfil its obligations under the directive. My Department, working closely with An Bord Iascaigh Mhara, is urgently progressing the work involved in consultation with the Department of the Environment and Local Government and relevant agencies.