Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 353: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the location at which practical information on access to administrative and judicial review procedures is available to the public in accordance with Article 10a of Directive 85/337 as amended by 03/35/EC. [3381/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Directive 2003/35/EC concerning public participation in certain environmental decision-making procedures, requires the amendment of a number of consent systems pertaining to Directive 85/337/EC on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment.

While amendments to a number of consent systems remain outstanding, where those amendments have been completed, information regarding the relevant review procedures is set out in the implementing legislation. In relation to practical information on judicial review procedures, the Citizen's Information Board, and the services it provides are relevant, comprehensive information on judicial review procedures is available from the Citizens Information Service, www.citizensinformation.ie

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 354: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the measures his Department will take to remedy a situation in view of the fact that obligations under directives (details supplied) have not been complied with here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3382/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The European Commission is currently in correspondence with my Department in respect of 28 cases relating to possible infringements of EU environmental legislation including the directives referred to in the question. These cases are at various stages of proceedings as listed in the following table.

Since taking up office, I have prioritised the resolution of issues arising from environmental infringement cases and my Department is working hard to resolve these cases as soon as possible. In this regard I welcome the decision by the Commission, on 29 January 2009, to close two long-standing nature protection cases that it had taken against Ireland under the European Union Habitats (92/43/EEC) and Birds (79/409/EEC) Directives.