Ireland condemned over establishment directive failure

Ireland has been condemned by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) for failing to implement the Rights of Establishment Directive for lawyers.

The directive, which should have been implemented in March 2000, allows EU lawyers to practise permanently in any member state using their home title.

Ireland was found in breach of its obligations under the directive and ordered to pay costs.

Future failure to implement the directive could trigger action by the commission to levy daily fines on Ireland.

France suffered a similar blow in October, and secondary action to impose daily fines is anticipated against the French shortly.

Luxembourg has also failed to implement the directive, though it has laid down plans to do so.

Jeremy Fleming