Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2026
75. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether her Department utilises a central tracking or recording system for EU directives transposed into Irish law across each of the departments; whether records are kept on the extent to which each EU directive is transposed, that being to the minimum level required or above the minimum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53677/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTransposition of EU Directives into national law requires systematic and sustained coordination across Government. While my Department monitors transposition in a coordinating capacity, responsibility for transposition of each Directive lies with the relevant Minister and his/her Department.
Records of transposition are kept by my Department and, in consultation with relevant Departments, regularly updated to support the Interdepartmental Committee on EU Engagement, chaired by the Minister of State for European Affairs, which monitors transposition of EU Directives and infringement procedures initiated by the European Commission. The Committee is comprised of representatives across all Government Departments, the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel.
In the interests of public transparency, my Department launched in March 2026 a new dedicated section on the Department’s website which highlights how Ireland implements EU law. This includes details on the 30 Directives which have transposition deadlines up to 31st December 2026. This is updated on a monthly basis at: www.ireland.ie/en/eu/implementation-of-eu-law-in-ireland/
I should note that Ireland’s rate of transposition has steadily improved over recent years. As of 5 December 2025, Ireland’s transposition deficit (Directives awaiting transposition) was 0.7%, better than the average of 1.1% across all 27 Member States and to the least performing Member State which had a rate of 2.6%.
