Joe Higgins
Question:83 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources whether the European Commission is taking action in the European Court against Ireland regarding its forestry policy. [19073/97]
Written Answers. - Forestry Policy.
The European Commission is not taking action in the European Court against Ireland regarding its forestry policy.
However, the Commission initiated proceedings in the European Court of Justice on 5 December 1996 for alleged failure to adequately transpose the EU Directive on Environmental Impact Assessment (85/337/EEC). This action primarily relates to one aspect of Ireland's transposition of the directive i.e. the levels at which EIA should be required for certain projects, one of which is afforestation. Full effect has been given in Ireland to the directive since the introduction of the European Communities (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 1989 and other relevant regulations. Ireland has lodged a full defence in this case.