Vol. 535 No. 4
227 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the EU directives relevant to his Department which are awaiting implementation; the nature of the directive; when it was passed by the Council of Ministers; the final date for implementation; and if this deadline will be met. [13009/01]
There are two directives relating to my Department awaiting transposition into Irish law. They are Council Directive 98, 49, EC on the safeguarding of the supplementary pension rights of employed and self-employed persons moving within the European Community, which was adopted on 29 June 1998, and Council Directive 2000, 43, EC which was adopted on 29 June 2000.
Directive 98, 49, EC deals with the preservation of benefits, disclosure of information and payment of occupational pensions across borders for workers who move from one member state to another. It also provides for workers who are posted abroad to be allowed to stay in their occupational schemes and to be exempt from joining such a scheme in the country to which they are posted.
Member states are required to comply with the directive not later than 25 July 2001. I am pleased to say that the pensions Act is already largely in compliance with the terms of the directive. The minor changes required to that Act to ensure full compliance will be incorporated in the forthcoming pensions Bill.
Directive 2000, 43, EC relates to implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin. The purpose of the directive is to allow the participation of all persons, natural and legal, in society regardless of racial or ethnic origin. While primary responsibility for its implementation rests with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the scope of the directive includes social security. Any necessary changes in the social welfare system arising out of this directive will be implemented not later than 19 July 2003, the deadline for compliance with the directive.
