Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 109: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of meetings that have taken place by the inter-agency team set up in the wake of the job losses at Quinn Insurance in 2010; the number of meetings of the team he has attended; the progress being made by the team in respect of supporting the workers in terms of workshops and other practical measures; if, and when, the inter-agency response team has met with the similar response team set up by the authorities in the Northern Ireland Assembly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2637/11]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Last year in response to the developments in Quinn Insurance and its impact on the employees' jobs, I established an inter-agency team comprising Enterprise Ireland, FÁS, IDA Ireland, the relevant County Enterprise Boards and the Department of Social Protection. The group meets regularly under the chairmanship of Dan Flinter and while I have not attended the meetings of the group, the appointment of Dan Flinter as chair is a signal of the importance which I attach to the work of this group. Mr. Flinter keeps my Department updated regularly on the work of the group.

The first meeting of the inter-agency team was held in Cavan on the 30th of April last year and to date 12 meetings of the Group have taken place and active ongoing dialogue with the Employee Representative Group has been a feature of the process. The 13th meeting of the Inter Agency Response Group will take place in Cavan on the 7th February 2011. The Chairs of the response groups, North and South, have met on 2 occasions.

The primary focus of the inter-agency team is to support the affected employees, to explore their options regarding employment, self employment through setting up a new business, skills development and to outline the supports available to them. Dedicated information centres staffed by the agencies were established on site in Cavan, Navan and Blanchardstown to support the affected workers. Briefings and information sessions for the employees concerned were delivered at all three sites by Enterprise Ireland, FÁS, the County Enterprise Boards, the Department of Social Protection and other agencies, education providers and financial institutions as required. I consider that the inter-agency team has been an effective solution to coordinate the activities of the relevant Government Departments, state development agencies and county enterprise boards, in order to support employment opportunities for the people concerned.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 111: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation in respect of EU directives for which he has responsibility, the number remaining to be implemented; the directives that are now overdue; the number of reasoned opinions received from the EU Commission since 2002 regarding delays or non-implementation of such directives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2539/11]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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There are nine EU Directives due to be transposed by my Department. One of these Directives is currently overdue. Directive 2009/125/EC establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy-related products was due to be transposed on 20 November 2010. However, work on the implementation of this Directive is at an advanced stage and it is anticipated that the Directive will be implemented shortly. My Department has received a total of 28 Reasoned Opinions from the EU Commission since 2002 of which all, apart from two Reasoned Opinions, have been closed.

A Reasoned Opinion was received on 24 June 2010 regarding the non-transposition of the Services Directive 2006/123/EC. This Directive was fully transposed on 23 November 2010. A Reasoned Opinion was issued on 5th May 2010 by the EU Commission regarding the non-transposition of Directive 2008/68/EC on the inland transport of dangerous goods. This Directive was fully transposed on 30th December 2010. The two Reasoned Opinions associated with the non-transposition of these Directives are expected to be closed shortly. Full details of the state of play of all current Directives due for transposition are maintained on my Department's website, www.deti.ie. The transposition of EU Directives is an ongoing priority for my Department and is reported to the Management Board on a regular basis.