Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 130: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on moves by the European Union to penalise Ireland for the non-implementation of environmental directives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4013/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 130 and 171 together.

My Department maintains an intensive programme on the transposition and implementation of EU environmental legislation. Some 200 EU environmental measures, including more than 140 directives, have by now been transposed.

It is part of the role of the Commission to ensure that member states satisfactorily transpose EU legislation into their national laws and implement it effectively. To do this, the Commission raises issues in correspondence with member states, and if agreement is not reached on how to address the issue, may take a case to the European Court of Justice.

Recent correspondence from the Commission, which was the subject of its press release of 13 January last, is part of this ongoing process. My Department is in communication with the Commission on a range of issues at any given time and, in addition, meets regularly with Commission officials to identify how issues of alleged non-compliance can best be addressed. A high priority is given to addressing outstanding issues in consultation with the Commission and relevant stakeholders.

My Department, through the local authorities, the Environmental Protection Agency and the office of environmental enforcement continues to work towards maintaining a high level of environmental protection for Ireland.