European and External Relations Committee, 08 Nov 2005

Meeting date: Tuesday, November 8, 2005

Official Report 176KB pdf

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European Union Legislation (Transposition and Implementation)

We move on to item 6. This is the first time that I have come across this item since becoming convener. I understand that the Executive's report on the transposition and implementation of EU legislation comes before us three times a year to give us a snapshot of its progress in transposing European obligations into domestic legislation. Before I ask members for their comments, I have a suggestion to make about something that struck me in the report—I am looking at it fresh; it is the first time that I have seen it.

I was interested to note the Executive's reasons for being late in transposing directives. I also noted that a couple of times it gave no reason—it simply said, "None Given"—and we may well want to know the reason for those delays in transposition. If the phrase, "None Given", is entered in the column, "Explanation for Late Transposition", I suggest that we automatically fire off a letter to the Executive asking for the reason for the lateness. We should keep track of these things.

As no member has any objection to the suggestion, I propose that we do that.

I ask members for their comments on the report.

My general comment is that the number of directives for late transposition is fewer than has been the case in the past. I guess that that is to be welcomed. I see that we have again returned to zoonoses; the Executive seems continually to be late when it is doing something about that. I think that John Home Robertson knows more about zoonoses than the rest of us do.

Would you like to enlighten us, John?

It is an animal health issue that has an implication for human health. It is an important subject; we are talking about tuberculosis and so on.

Oh, right.

Do members have any other comments?

No.

It is so nice to have a happy committee.

Wait for it.