Scientists are worried about toxin levels in water near the tip

The Greek Government was ordered to close it down. Greece failed to comply so, in 1997, the commission went back to the judges and asked for the fine to be imposed.

After protracted legal arguments, Greece suffers the indignity of becoming the first member state to face sanctions for failing to obey EU law.

In the highest profile case currently before the court - the French ban on British beef - the judgment seems to pave the way for France to face significant sanctions if it loses.

But the French Government will not be overly concerned about a process that appears likely to go on for a decade or more.

What the delay highlights, according to many European lawyers, is the need for the member governments of the European Union to give the court more resources. Only then, they say, will the court be able to flex its muscles properly and bring errant governments to book.

The problem is that the governments, fearing greater interference from Luxembourg, are not keen to come up with the cash.