Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)

I thank the Minister sincerely for that. The directive is important in the context of the legal framework for any service provided for economic return, with the exception of specified services in health and various other areas, and takes into account the specific nature of the activity or profession. Is it true that we are in the slow-coach lane? Along with Slovenia and Greece, Ireland is one of the three tardiest countries in transposing the directive. The former Minister for Finance, Mr. Charlie McCreevy, was the person who originated this, so perhaps the Minister is right, in hindsight, to take it easy. That is the way I would look at it at this stage.

There will be many benefits associated with the transposition of the directive. Has the Department identified any specific area, within the broader services area, in which the directive will be of major benefit to us or in which we can take a leading role? It does not apply to insurance or anything similar; nor should it, because of the importance of where contracts are made and so on. Are there certain legislative areas in which we are already advanced and which are complemented by this directive, allowing us to gain an upper hand in securing business?

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