WRITTEN QUESTION E-0081/04 by Proinsias De Rossa (PSE) to the Commission. Implementation of IPPC Directive in Ireland.
Date: 2004-01-20
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Ireland, application of EU law, environmental law, national implementing measure, pollution control measures

C 84 E/760

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.4.2004

In the 6th Framework Programme (FP) health related research is mainly financed under priority one ‘life
sciences, genomics and biotechnology for health’. This programme focuses on basic research in functional
genomics, applications of genomics and biotechnology, and applications related to medicine and health
care. Already under the first call of priority one of the 6th FP a project related to tissue and cell
engineering, which has a strong relevance for rheumatic diseases, has been selected and is currently under
negotiation. The outcome of the second call, with a closure date of 13 November 2003, will be available
mid-2004.

The Commission is defining at present topics to be considered for future calls of this priority with its
scientific programme advisory group and its programme committee. It is the intention of the Commission
to propose another topic for research related to rheumatic diseases in a later call of priority 1.

(2004/C 84 E/0856)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0081/04

by Proinsias De Rossa (PSE) to the Commission

(20 January 2004)

Subject: Implementation of IPPC Directive in Ireland

What response if any, has the Commission received from the Irish Government in response to the final
written warning sent
to Ireland in July 2003 (as announced in IP/03/1049) concerning the Irish
Government’s failure to properly implement the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Directive
(Council Directive 96/61/EC (1))? What action is the Commission taking or proposing to take in this
regard?

(1) OJ L 257, 10.10.1996, p. 26.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(11 March 2004)

The Commission notified a Reasoned Opinion to Ireland on 11 July 2003 with regard to the
incompleteness of national legislation to implement Council Directive 96/61/EC of 24 September 1996
concerning integrated pollution prevention and control (1). On 29 July 2003, Ireland sent new legislation,
namely the Protection of the Environment Act, 2003, which, according to Ireland, correctly transposes the
Directive. However, it appears that further secondary legislation is needed with regard to Article 6 of the
Directive. In addition, requirements of the new Act need to be formally commenced with commencement
orders. These outstanding elements are still awaited, and the Commission is considering the next
appropriate steps to take.

(1) OJ L 257, 10.10.1996.

(2004/C 84 E/0857)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0092/04

by Herbert Bösch (PSE) to the Commission

(21 January 2004)

Subject: Evolution of electricity prices, investment in the energy sector

The German newspaper Handelsblatt reports on pages 1 and 9 of its 7 January 2004 edition that the
energy company RWE is profiting from greatly increased electricity prices. In the Austrian Standard of
2 January 2004 the chairman of the board of EVN calls for a rise in network prices with a view to
improve chances of achieving a minimum profit of 7 % on invested capital.