Two EU Directives  were brought into being in order to implement the first two of the three pillars of the Aarhus  Convention within the European Community.

These Directives are

• Directive 2003/4/EC which gives citizens access to environmental information
• Directive2003/35/EC which increases public participation in decision making.

Again the Irish government is dragging its heels and is very resistant to bringing these Directives into effect.

Only in May 2007 did the Irish Government finally transpose the first of these   (Directive 2003/4/EC) into Irish law  following instigation of proceedings against the government in the European Court of Justice by the European Commission.  What's important for you to know is that having access to environmental information is now your legal entitlement.

Meanwhile the Commission is also pursuing the Government with regard to transposition of the other Directive(2003/35/EC) on public participation.

What to do about the Directives:

• Inform yourself about the implications of Directive 2003/4/EC and how it can help you.
• Cite it when looking for information
• Inform yourself about the implications of Directive2003/35/EC
• Lobby your TDs and the Government to get it transposed onto Irish law

For information and concerns regarding EU Directives compliance, check out EuroLaw environmental consultants at http://www.eurolaw.ie/