Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 April 2007
44 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the nature of his involvement in the negotiations on the proposed Soil Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13433/07]
Amharc ar fhreagra90 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the Government’s position on the proposed Soil Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13432/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 90 together.
Consideration of the EU Commission's proposal for a directive establishing a framework for the protection of soil is in the early stages. The proposal for a directive is part of a package adopted by the Commission in September 2006 arising from the EU's 6th Environmental Action Programme. Although soil protection provisions exist in the body of Community legislation there is no specific legislation on soil protection. The package aims to fill this gap and has the objective of establishing a common strategy for the protection and sustainable use of soil based on the principles of integration of soil concerns into other policies, preservation of soil functions within the context of sustainable use, prevention of threats to soil and mitigation of their effects, as well as restoration of degraded soils to a level of functionality consistent at least with the current and approved future use.
In general the Government welcomes the proposal and accepts that it is appropriate to have an EU wide initiative in this area but that, given the diverse nature and condition of soils in the Member States, policies should be flexible and adaptable. My Department has had input from the Department of Agriculture and Food on the Commission's proposal and will continue to liaise closely with that Department as consideration of the proposal progresses.
