THE EUROPEAN Commission has closed two long-running cases of nature protection infringements against Ireland on the grounds that the breaches have been addressed.
One related to the failure of Ireland to meet a 1995 deadline to provide a list of nature sites where Ireland’s most endangered habitats and species were located.
The second infringement was a failure by Ireland to take measures to mitigate the extensive damage that was caused by the overgrazing of sheep on Irish uplands. Both cases were the subject of adverse judgments by the European Court of Justice.
Minister for the Environment John Gormley yesterday claimed that the decisions to close both cases reflected the change in direction of Ireland’s environmental policies since the Green Party entered government.
However, the news of the cases being closed came as it emerged that the commission has issued formal warnings to Ireland (as well as to other countries) in relation to failures to comply with directives on energy efficiency and industrial permits.
Mr Gormley’s spokesman last night said yesterday’s formal warnings would be fully addressed in a timely fashion. He said they could not be compared to the “major success” of having two long-standing cases being brought to a successful conclusion.
Speaking earlier, Mr Gormley said the commission’s decision to close both cases was a significant step in getting Ireland on to the right track in terms of environmental protection.
EU environment commissioner Stavros Dimas urged the Government to redouble its efforts to satisfy other adverse court rulings. “This is crucial if we are to halt the loss of the biodiversity,” he said.
Ireland, in recent years, has moved to protect endangered habitats by designating new Special Areas of Conservation. Steps have also been taken to protect the red grouse by reducing overgrazing by sheep.
