Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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152. To ask the Taoiseach if he will provide in tabular form for the years 2011, 2012 and 2013, the amount of Exchequer funds which have been used to pay for fines incurred by the Irish State from the European Commission or other EU authorities because of a failure of the Irish State to comply with EU Regulations and Directives; and if he will provide a breakdown of the areas in which the fines were incurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39951/13]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The State has been required to pay fines in respect of two Court of Justice decisions. Details are set out in the Table below. These are the only two instances in which Ireland has been levied with fines by the Court. Both relate to environmental issues which are now resolved.

It should be noted that the Government has established an Interdepartmental Committee on EU Engagement to ensure rigorous and ongoing examination of transposition and implementation of EU legislation.

The Committee is chaired by the Minister of State for European Affairs and is attended by senior official representatives of all Government Departments, the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. The Committee’s terms of reference include examining participation in the shaping of EU legislation, including transposition of EU legislation and handling of infringements to minimise the risk of penalties and fines.