Written answers

Wednesday, 30 January 2008

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Barriers to Trade

8:00 pm

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 682: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the concerns that the proposed micro-generator scheme being introduced in the UK places unfair barriers in the way of Irish companies competing within the UK micro-generator market; the action that has been taken to date with regard to this matter and the action he will take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2376/08]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Directive 98/34/EC obliges all EU Member States to notify the European Commission of any technical rule, regulation or legislation that may affect trade within the EU. The Directive provides a pre-adoption screening procedure for all draft technical rules, regulations and standards relating to products.

The United Kingdom has notified the European Commission of a draft microgeneration scheme in accordance with the Directive. I understand that the National Standards Authority of Ireland, which co-ordinates the requirements of the Directive in Ireland, has sent a detailed opinion to the European Commission and EU Member States, which outlines its concerns in relation to the draft scheme proposed by the United Kingdom.

The United Kingdom responded to the Commission on 24 January stating that the scheme does not constitute a barrier to trade. The European Commission has until 11 February to consider the draft scheme and determine to what extent, if any, the scheme is contrary to legislative provisions governing the elimination of technical barriers to trade.

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