Eire’s failure to comply with the EU directive on port state control “may endanger maritime safety with the risks this implies for the environment” says the European Transport Commission.
In a strongly-worded statement the EU says: “The European Commission has sent today a reasoned opinion to the Irish authorities for failing to properly implement the EU directive on port state control. This directive is a core instrument in the field of maritime safety, aimed at fighting substandard shipping in the European Union. The Republic of Ireland is required to comply with the request within two months, failing which the case may go before the European Court of Justice”.