Government in rush to clear backlog of 55 EU directives

FIFTY FIVE EU directives, some from as far back as four years ago, have not yet been transcribed into Irish law, latest figures reveal.

The directives concerned cover numerous issues such as the transport of dangerous goods, race equality and environmental pollution.

In April Taoiseach Bertie Ahern wrote to all ministers including Tánaiste Mary Harney, warning them to put into law all outstanding EU directives before Ireland assumes the EU presidency in January. He authorised extra legal resources and warned ministers of the negative consequences for Ireland if sufficient progress was not made in time.