Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 223: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will confirm that the European Commission has issued a final written warning for Ireland's non-compliance with the 2005 European Court of Justice waste ruling for Ireland's failure to address the persistent pattern of official tolerance of the uncontrolled disposal of waste [36644/10]

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 224: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will confirm that the European Commission has issued a final written warning for Ireland's non-compliance with the 2005 European Court of Justice waste ruling and has cited several cases where waste has been left untreated in unauthorised sites, specifying the location and nature of such sites [36645/10]

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 225: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the manner in which he has instructed his and other Government Departments and agencies to comply with a ruling on waste disposal handed out in 2005 by the European Court of Justice and if he has any plans to do so [36647/10]

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 226: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the possible consequences of Ireland continuing to fail to address the issues raised in the final written warning from the European Commission on non-compliance with the 2005 Court of Justice waste ruling [36648/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 223 to 226, inclusive, together.

A formal response by Ireland to the judgment of the European Court of Justice issued to the European Commission in October 2005, detailing the measures being taken to ensure compliance with the provisions of Council Directive 75/42/EEC of 15 July 1975 on waste, as amended by Council Directive 91/156/EEC of 18 March 1991. There has been subsequent correspondence and bilateral meetings have been held with the Commission by way of clarifying aspects of Ireland's response. Significant progress has been made in satisfying the court judgment, and this has been acknowledged by the Commission.

A further letter of formal notice has recently been received from the European Commission in relation to a number of outstanding issues where the Commission contends that there are continuing problems of compliance, and it includes reference to particular sites on which further action is required. My Department is engaging with the necessary authorities, including the Office of Environmental Enforcement, to ensure that these issues are resolved to the satisfaction of the Commission. A further bilateral with the Commission is envisaged in relation to these issues. While it would be open to the Commission, were it not to be satisfied with Ireland's response, to seek the imposition of fines by the Court, my focus is on addressing the outstanding issues in this case, thereby ensuring compliance with the judgment of the Court.