(2004/C 70 E/083)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2238/03

by Proinsias De Rossa (PSE) to the Commission

(7 July 2003)

Subject:   Article 10 of the EC Treaty and Ireland

In the answer to my question E-1491/03 (1) regarding the number of letters of formal notice and reasoned opinions sent by the Commission to the Irish Government over its failure to respond to Commission queries on environmental complaints (i.e. non-respect of Article 10 of the EC Treaty) in the period since 1 May 1999, the Commission replied that two letters of formal notice were sent on 15 May 2003 against Ireland under Article 226 of the EC Treaty.

In this answer, why did the Commission not refer to the letters of formal notice and reasoned opinions as referred to in IP/00/1219 and IP/00/741 which highlighted the Commission's concern about the lack of cooperation from the Irish Government with regard to the application of the Waste Framework Directive (Dir 75/442/EEC (2)) at Poolbeg in Dublin, Kilbarry and Tramore in Waterford, Lea and Ballymorris in Laois, and Drumnaboden, Muckish and Glenall in Donegal, and the application of the Wild Birds Directive (Dir 79/409/EEC (3)) in Dublin Bay?

Could the Commission provide a definitive list of all its queries to the Irish Government that have given rise to the letters of formal notice and reasoned opinions to Ireland for non-respect of Article 10 of the EC Treaty since 1 May 1999 similar to those referred to in the above two press releases and also set out the current situation with regard to each of these queries?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(24 September 2003)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible.

(1)  See page 47.

(2)  OJ L 194, 25.7.1975, p. 39.

(3)  OJ L 103, 25.4.1979, p. 1.