Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

To what extent did the Minister have discussions with the Commissioner on fines to be imposed on Ireland? The Minister is at least three years in office and has had ample time to transpose into Irish law the various directives affecting the environment, for which area he has specific responsibility.

How long will it take to transpose into Irish law all the remaining directives relevant to the Department? From the Minister's discussions with the Commissioner, will he indicate the seriousness with which the Commissioner will consider Irish compliance failures? Has he assured the Minister that there will be no fines imposed on Ireland?

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