Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 354: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when Directive 2003/4/EC will be transposed into law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4298/07]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Ireland signed the Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters on 25 June 1998. Progress towards ratification of the Convention is closely aligned with work at EU level. To date, the European Union has adopted two directives as part of the ratification process for the Convention. These deal with public access to environmental information (2003/4/EC) and public participation in certain environmental decision-making procedures (2003/35/EC). Ratification of the Convention will take place after these Directives have been transposed into Irish Law.

I intend to make regulations transposing Directive 2003/4/EC on access to information on the environment in the near future. Work is continuing on the transposition of Directive 2003/35/EC regarding public participation in respect of the drawing up of certain plans and programmes relating to the environment. When the above work is completed, the instrument of ratification of the Aarhus Convention will be laid before the Dáil in accordance with the requirements of the Constitution.