EU Directives

EU Directives are not binding on the member states. They do, however, have to be enacted by each national legislation within a certain time frame (normally 2 years), at which stage the national legislation does become binding. The UK has enacted more Directives within the proper time frames than any other country in the EU, apart from Portugal.

We get fined by the EU if we either fail to enact the Directive into UK law, or if we fail to enact properly (including not enforcing the reaultant law). Explain these two facts then:

Italy were fined as they were a long way behind with their enacting of Directives. Their response was to pass a single law which stated at one fell swoop that a whole raft of Directives were passed into Italian law. No communication to the Italians, no communication to the enforcing agencies and police. No-one knows about the new laws, no-one is following them and no-one is enforcing them.... Howeeevr, they are no longer in breach as at least they are on Italy's statute books?

Wearing helmets on motorbikes is an absolute requirement under one Directive. This is rigorously enforced in the UK, but if you go to Spain, Greece, Italy or Portugal, the only people wearing helmets are the British tourists, despite the fact that it has to be in national law.