European Commission Takes Action Against Ireland on Multiple EU Directives
European Commission opens new legal case against Ireland over landfill regulations while advancing three existing procedures on arrest warrants, anti-racism laws and cybersecurity rules.
The European Commission has launched a new legal procedure against Ireland while advancing three existing cases, putting pressure on the country to comply with several EU laws.
New Landfill Regulations Case
In its May enforcement package, the Commission has opened a formal case against Ireland for failing to properly implement EU landfill rules. These regulations, known as the Landfill Directive, set important standards for waste disposal sites to protect human health and the environment.
The Commission claims Ireland hasn't correctly incorporated requirements for landfill construction standards, waste assessment procedures, and monitoring protocols into national law. Ireland now has two months to address these concerns before the case potentially advances to the next stage.
Existing Cases Progress
The Commission has also escalated three ongoing cases against Ireland by sending "reasoned opinions" - the second stage in EU enforcement procedures:
- European Arrest Warrant: Ireland is accused of incorrectly implementing several aspects of this cross-border judicial procedure, including rules around trials held in a person's absence and timeframes for surrender decisions.
- Anti-racism Laws: Despite recently introducing some measures, the Commission states Ireland still fails to properly criminalise public incitement to violence or hatred based on protected characteristics, and doesn't adequately address denial or trivialisation of international crimes and the Holocaust.
- Cybersecurity Rules: Ireland is among 19 EU countries being challenged for not fully implementing the NIS2 Directive, which aims to strengthen cybersecurity across critical sectors. Member states were required to incorporate these rules into national law by 17 October 2024.
In all cases, Ireland has two months to respond and address the issues. If the Commission remains unsatisfied, it may refer the matters to the Court of Justice of the European Union for further action.
