28 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he has taken to implement Directive No. 98/81/EC the purpose of which is to lay down common measures for the contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms for the purpose of protecting human health and the environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44419/10]

The fundamental objective of Council Directive 2009/41/EC on the contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms (GMOs), which is a re-cast of EU Directive 98/81/EC, is to protect people and the environment from any adverse effects arising from the contained use of GMOs.

The Directive is transposed in Ireland by the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 2001, the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 2003 and the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2010. These Regulations designate the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the competent authority and provide for the application of various procedural matters to contained use activities. I am satisfied that Directive 2009/41/EC has been fully implemented in Ireland through these transposing measures.