Ireland is among 19 EU countries facing legal action from the European Commission due to a failure to transpose two pieces of EU legislation into national law.

The two directives – the Audio-Visual Media Services Directive and the European Electronic Communications Code – had been due to be adopted in member states by 21 September 2020 and 19 December 2020 respectively.

The new rules on audio-visual media services aim to ensure “a fair single market” for broadcast services across the EU, while the communications code is aimed at modernising telecoms rules.

Countries given two months

The commission describes both directives as “crucial for the EU's digital transition”. Ireland is among eight EU member states that have missed the deadlines for both measures.

The EU body had already launched infringement procedures against the countries concerned, and is now taking the next step in the process by issuing a reasoned opinion.

The countries concerned now have two months to adopt the two pieces of EU legislation. If they do not, the commission may refer their cases to the Court of Justice of the European Union.