Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 1035: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the percentage of legislation here that has its origins in EU law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29278/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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While my Department has an overall co-ordinating role in European Union matters, responsibility for incorporating EU legislation into Irish law rests with individual Departments in their respective areas of responsibility. In Ireland's years of our EU membership, a large proportion of primary and secondary legislation has originated from agreements reached at EU level. It is not possible to put a precise percentage on this. EU measures emerge from negotiations in which Ireland plays a full part and in which Irish interests are satisfactorily accommodated. When agreement has been reached at EU level, it is vital that the agreed measures be properly transposed into national law. Over the last 35 years, EU measures have inspired much beneficial legislation in Ireland. For example, the ending of discrimination against married women in the public service came about from the Equal Pay and Equal Treatment Directives which were adopted soon after Ireland's entry into the then EEC. In addition, agreements made at EU level have shaped the development and evolution of Irish environmental law in areas such as water and air quality, improving waste management and protecting our countryside. Furthermore, Irish legislation designed to give effect to the European Single Market has facilitated the free movement of people, services, goods and capital which has served to enhance our national prosperity.