WRITTEN QUESTION P-4711/07

by Kathy Sinnott (IND/DEM)

to the Commission

Subject:    Ireland's breaches of EU environmental law

 " The European Commission has brought infringement proceedings against Ireland in a number of cases involving EU environmental law. These cases concern failures to protect nature, wildlife and heritage, lack of protection of shellfish water, unauthorised waste activities and finally failure to comply with regulations on emissions trading, ozone-depleting substances and treatment of wastewater.

Could the Commission please provide us with information on how many EU environmental laws Ireland has breached and what they are? Also what cases are pending at the moment? "

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P-4711/07EN

Answer given by Mr Dimas

on behalf of the Commission

(16.11.2007)

 " The number of infringements open against Ireland for breaches of environmental legislation fluctuates from time to time as existing cases are closed and new cases opened. It is assumed from the context of the Honourable Member's question that she is referring to those current infringements which have been or are the subject of proceedings in the European Court of Justice (ECJ). As of 15 October 2007, 8 open infringements concerned ECJ judgments relating to Directives on the control of discharges of dangerous substances to water, the control of nitrate pollution from agriculture, drinking water standards, requirements for shellfish waters, the control of waste, the conservation of natural habitats and of wild flora and fauna and the conservation of wild birds. The Honourable Member is referred to the ECJ judgments for more details. The Commission has been pursuing full compliance with these judgments, using its powers under Article 228 of the Treaty. A further 9 infringements were the subject of cases lodged with the Court and still awaiting decision. These concerned the previously-mentioned Directives on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild flora and fauna and on the conservation of wild birds as well as Directives on impact assessment, groundwater protection, urban waste water treatment and public participation rights. "