Anyone can lodge a complaint with the European Commission against the Government or local authority about any measure (i.e. law, regulation or administrative action) or practice which they consider incompatible with a provision or a principle of European Community law. These can relate to the failure to enact European legislation on time or correctly.

The Commission however cannot deal with complaints that do not relate to EC law. These have to be raised at national level.

If the Commission finds the complaint holds up, it can take legal action against the Government.

How to table a complaint to the European Commission