John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

Since entering office, I have attached the highest priority to the transposition and implementation of EU planning and environmental legislation. I have secured the closure of 30 infringement cases during the past three years and my Department is in discussions with the Commission with a view to further closures later this year.

In areas for which my Department has responsibility, the European Commission is currently in correspondence in respect of 21 cases covering the transposition and implementation of EU planning and environmental legislation, two of which relate to the late transposition of EU directives. These are the directive providing for public participation in respect of the drawing up of certain plans and programmes relating to the environment and the directive establishing an infrastructure for spatial information in the European Community.

I expect that the proceedings on the public participation directive should be addressed to the satisfaction of the Commission very shortly following completion of a number of steps including the commencement of a relevant provision in the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009 and the making of further regulations to address issues. As regards the directive establishing an infrastructure for spatial information, I expect to sign regulations into law shortly that will transpose it.

The transposition date for one further European Union directive, on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe, was 11 June 2010. My Department is working to ensure that the transposition of this directive will be completed as soon as possible, thus avoiding the initiation of infringement proceedings.

The Commission made a decision on 29 October 2009 to refer Ireland to the European Court of Justice for an imposition of fines in relation to the directive on the quality required of shellfish waters, while deferring such referral for three months. Following comprehensive work by my Department to address the outstanding issues involved, the Commission closed the case in March 2010.

Ireland has never been fined by the EU for an environmental infringement. I have met Environment Commissioner Potocnik since his appointment to reassure him of my commitment to resolving outstanding cases and to ensuring that Ireland is fully compliant with EU environmental law.

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