Brussels, 13/10/2006 (Agence Europe) - On Friday, the European Commission called on Ireland to implement two judgements of the European Court of Justice concerning the protection of Ireland's natural habitats. Ireland has not yet fully met a 1995 deadline to complete a list of nature sites to protect its most endangered natural habitats and species, as part of the EU-wide Natura 2000 network. Nor has Ireland taken sufficient measures to recover vegetation in Irish uplands that were extensively damaged by overstocking of sheep from the 19870s onwards. A failure to satisfy the Court judgements will expose Ireland to the risk of substantial fines. The Commission, meanwhile, has been able to close a case against Ireland concerning the protection of shellfish waters from water pollution now that the country has put in place the necessary safeguards. (il)