Committee Reports::Report No. 49 - Statutory Instruments [15] made under the European Communities Act 1972 and Food Standards Act 1974::09 December, 1976::Appendix

APPENDIX 2

Cléireach an Chomhchoiste,


An Comhchoiste faoi Reachtaíocht Thánaisteach na gComhphobal Eorpach.


I am directed by the Minister for Industry and Commerce to refer to your minutes (EC/4/23 and EC/4/24) of 15th June, 1976 and reminders about Section 5 of the European Communities (Calibration of Tanks of Vessels) Regulations, 1976 (S.I. No. 110 of 1976) and Section 10 of the European Communities (Standard Mass per Storage Volume of Grain) Regulations, 1976 (S.I. No. 111 of 1976).


It is proposed to lay down a method of calculating metrological fees for all services carried out by the Weights and Measures Office including pattern approval and the calibration of measuring instruments in a schedule to a new Weights and Measures Bill at present being prepared. These provisions (which have not yet been finalised) will cover operations such as the calibration of ships’ tanks, which has never hitherto been undertaken in Ireland, and the provision of E.E.C. pattern approval for grain measuring instruments (which we have so far never had to provide). It is, however, unlikely that the Bill will come into operation earlier than two years from now.


In the interim it is considered necessary to make provision for fees in the event that inspections in the areas covered by the Regulations have to be carried out. Pending determination of the measures to be adopted in the proposed legislation it is not considered practicable at present to specify the fees which will be charged for inspections. However, the provisions of the 1976 Regulations under consideration involve a separate determination of the appropriate fee for each individual inspection. In fact, it is possible that in this interim period it may be decided to carry out inspections free of charge, and this interim procedure would facilitate such an arrangement.


Nial Mac Liam


18 Samhain, 1976