Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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305. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the level of compliance with European Union directives within his ministerial areas of responsibility; the current fines resulting from non-compliance, and potential fines resulting from current non-compliance the State is or may be exposed to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40638/13]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department ensures that a high profile is given to ensuring that a good performance on the transposition of EU Directives is maintained. In that regard, transposition is monitored on a regular basis within the Department. My Department has three EU Directives due for transposition by the end of 2013. One of these is currently overdue – EU Directive 2010/32/EU implementing the Framework Agreement on prevention of injuries from sharp instruments in the hospital and healthcare sector. A number of issues arose late in the legal settlement process and further engagement was required on a technical matter with the Commission which meant that the transposition deadline for this Directive could not be met. My Department is currently in the process of finalising the legal transposition text.

There are no current fines levied against any EU Directives which are under the remit of my Department. The issue of potential fines would only arise if these have already been specified in a particular case and to date this has not arisen. I will continue to give a high level of political commitment to the ongoing monitoring and management of the transposition of EU Directives within my Department.