EU Directives.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 December 2007

Wednesday, 19 December 2007

Ceisteanna (356, 357)

Joanna Tuffy

Ceist:

401 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason Ireland has been referred to the European Court of Justice by the European Commission in relation to EU Directive 2003/35/EC which provides for public participation in respect of the drawing up of certain plans and programmes relating to the environment; and the reason given by the European Commission for referring Ireland to the ECJ in this case. [35920/07]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)

The process to transpose Directive 2003/35/EC is well advanced with legislation completed to amend the majority of the relevant consent systems pertaining to that Directive within the Irish legislative framework. While work is continuing on the outstanding issues, and will be finalised by the Departments concerned at the earliest possible date, the European Commission has initiated Article 226 proceedings against Ireland for incomplete transposition of the Directive. It is envisaged that the amendments to those consent systems that remain outstanding will be completed as quickly as possible.

Joanna Tuffy

Ceist:

402 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reply he sent to the European Commission in response to the letter of formal notice sent by the Commission in June 2007 with regard to Ireland’s compliance with the European Court of Justice ruling in case C-494/01 of April 2005 regarding breaches of the waste framework directive; and the situation with regard to his correspondence with the Commission on this matter. [35921/07]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)

My Department replied to the Letter of Formal Notice on 19 November 2007 and a bilateral meeting will be held with the European Commission in early 2008 to address any remaining concerns which the Commission may have in relation to the case.