IRELAND IS under investigation by the EU Commission in 28 cases linked to breaches of environmental law, according to Minister for the Environment John Gormley.
The cases are at various stages but the Minister told the Dáil that "there is no case awaiting a fines decision against Ireland, and fines have never been imposed on Ireland in relation to an environmental infringement".
Joanna Tuffy (Labour, Dublin Mid West) pointed to a commission survey in 2006 and "Ireland was the third worst offender with regard to open infringement procedures relating to environmental law. Ireland was the fourth worst offender in cases that had already been ruled on by the European Court of Justice under European law."
She said "we have a very bad record" and "it does not seem as though things have progressed much since the Minister came to office, though this is an issue he felt was important when he was in opposition".
Mr Gormley said he was "completely committed to dealing with these complex" issues, which were "difficult because we require extra resources". He had succeeded in getting 43 per cent extra for the Environmental Protection Agency and 37 per cent more for the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Full compliance "will probably require further resources, and I do not for a moment underestimate the extent of this difficult challenge".
He told the Dáil judgment was awaited on a case heard this month about environmental impact assessment, while three cases were before the court awaiting hearing. Seven cases were at the initial stages of the formal proceedings, and a further six cases were at "reasoned opinion stage".
The Minister said the commission decided to refer three cases to the European Court of Justice, and the Department of the Environment was "working to meet the requirements of judgments in eight cases".
