Scottish solutions to Scottish problems

Committee to look into the transposition of EU directives

News, 2 November 2007

Can the Scottish Government adequately tailor Scottish solutions to Scottish problems under EU law?

This is just one of the questions to be considered by the European and External Relations Committee as part of its inquiry into the transposition of EU directives.

The MSPs Alex Neil, Irene Oldfather and Iain Smith are to take forward the recommendations of the previous Committee's initial inquirym which was led by Jim Wallace relating to the Scottish Government's effectiveness in representing Scottish interests at the EU level.

Among the questions to be considered by the committee are:

How effective and transparent are the Scottish Government's transposition procedures?
How effective is the Scottish Government in working closely with the other devolved administrations and the UK Government during the transposition process?
To what extent does the transposition process allow for "differential implementation" and tailor Scottish solutions to Scottish problems?

Committee convener, Malcolm Chisholm MSP, said: "The previous committee's inquiry revealed that there are real concerns about the way in which legislation from Brussels adequately reflects Scottish interests, its unique legal system and the needs of Scottish stakeholders.

"This new inquiry will focus on the way in which the Scottish Government engages with those stakeholders and the UK Government as well as looking at the transparency of this
process."

The closing date for the consultation is 11 January 2008.

Further information on the inquiry can be viewed on the committee's web pages:
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/s3/committees/europe/currentInquiries.htm