Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)

Unfortunately, it is difficult to ask further questions without the table in front of me. Will the Minister outline the total number of cases overall? Last year, there were 34 cases of infringements in train against us and the figure was 35 for the previous year. What is the total number of cases in regard to Ireland that have been referred under Article 260, whereby we have had a judgment against us and we have not complied with that judgment? Last year, the figure was 14, which was the highest number of cases of all member states referred under Article 260, where a financial penalty can be considered. We are also the third worst offender in regard to EU infringements for the past two years and it seems likely this could be the case for this year also.

What is the difference between having a Green Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and having a Fianna Fáil Minister in that office? We are still in the top three worst offenders in Europe for infringements of EU environmental law.

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