Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 70: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number and details of all cases where environmental infringement proceedings are being taken by the EU Commission against Ireland; the various stages of the legal process to date; the cost to the State of each case to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36650/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The European Commission is currently in correspondence with my Department in respect of 35 cases relating to possible infringements of EU environmental legislation for which my Department is responsible. This compares to 53 such cases at the end of October 2005. This considerable improvement illustrates the positive outcomes from my intensive efforts to resolve issues in dialogue with the Commission and stakeholders. The cases, which relate to a number of Directives, are at various stages of proceedings as set out in the table.

My Department has not had to deal with any costs arising from cases as referred to in the Question. The Office of the Attorney General and the Chief State Solicitor's Office provide the legal service to the State in the conduct of European Court of Justice litigation. Legal fees arising are therefore a matter for those offices.