ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2420/98

by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Commission

(27 July 1998)

Subject: Notifications of placing on the market novel foods or novel food ingredients pursuant to Article 5 of Regulation (EC) 258/97

To date, how many notifications of placing on the market of novel foods or novel food ingredients pursuant to Article 5 of Regulation (EC) 258/97 has the Commission received?

Can the Commission give full details of all such notifications, in particular:

- applicant;

- description of food or food ingredient;

- scientific evidence submitted;

- date of notification;

- date of transmission to Member States?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(24 September 1998)

The Commission has received seven notifications so far pursuant to Article 5 of Regulation (EC) 258/97 concerning novel foods and novel food ingredients.

The Commission is sending direct to the Honourable Member and to the Parliament's secretariat a table that provides the requested information.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2354/98

by Claudio Azzolini (PPE) , Guido Podestà (PPE) , Antonio Tajani (PPE) and Guido Viceconte (PPE) to the Council

(28 July 1998)

Subject: Restoration of justice and the rule of law in Italy

In an interview given to the magazine "America Oggi", the Milanese Public Prosecutor, PierCamillo Davigo, expressed serious doubts as to the political legitimacy of Mr Silvio Berlusconi's appointment at that time as Italian Prime Minister. The views expressed by the Assistant Public Prosecutor of Milan give the impression that the Milan Public Prosecutor's Office is a political counterweight, foreshadowing conflicts discrediting and destabilizing the Establishment.

For some time now the European Parliament has been urging, by a large majority, the need to separate the various judicial careers precisely in order to avoid incidents such as those revealed through the activities of some of the Italian Public Prosecutor's Offices.

Can the Community Institutions rapidly take all the appropriate urgent measures within their powers necessary to ensure that the rule of law is reestablished within the Italian judicial departments and to penalize and prevent the continuation or repetition of the serious incidents mentioned above which are an infringement of the fundamental rights and guarantees of European citizens and a clear sign that the criminal justice system is being used for political purposes?

Reply

(19 October 1998)

The Council has no competence to deal with the questions raised by the honourable Members of the European Parliament.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2599/98

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE) to the Commission

(1 September 1998)

Subject: Progress with implementation of Community Support Framework for Greece

The Community Support Framework (CSF) for Greece is a little less than a year and a half away from its scheduled date of expiry.

Will the Commission say what amounts and percentages of the appropriations allocated for the CSF for Greece have been disbursed to date:

1. in relation to the budget allocated for the whole of the operational period of the CSF (1994-1999),

2. in relation to the budget for the period from the commencement of the programme until the present time (July 1998), and

3. in relation to each operational programme jointly funded under the CSF for Greece?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission

(9 October 1998)

On 1 September 1998, payments under the current Community Support Framework (CSF) for Greece amounted to ECU 7 213 million out of a planned total of ECU 13 933 million. This represents 52 % of the funding programmed for the entire 1994-1999 period and 68 % of that programmed up to the end of 1998.

A great improvement is usually expected in the last three months of the year, given that expenditure is normally concentrated towards the year-end. The Commission stresses that the commitments under the CSF must be undertaken before 31 December 1999, although the payments can legitimately continue beyond this date.

The Commission is sending direct to the Honourable Member and to the Parliament Secretariat a table detailing the payments for each operational programme and the percentages they represent.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2202/98

by Gary Titley (PSE) to the Commission

(10 July 1998)

Subject: Redundancies at De La Rue printing company

On 2 June 1998 De La Rue, a multinational printing company, announced 375 redundancies at its flagship company in Gateshead without informing its European Works Council which is due to meet on 15 and 16 July 1998. Does the Commission not feel that De La Rue has acted in a similar way to Renault in the Vilvoorde case, and flagrantly ignored the letter and spirit of the European works council and collective redundancies Directives?

Would the Commission agree that this action shows that the Directive on European works councils and collective redundancies are inadequate?

What action does the Commission intend to take to ensure that European companies engage in meaningful consultation with their workforces, including the timely provision of relevant information?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(11 September 1998)

Council Directive 92/56/EEC of 24 June 1992 amending Directive 75/129/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to collective redundancies(1) requires an employer contemplating collective redundancies to undertake consultations with the workers' representatives in good time with a view to reaching an agreement.

If it is the case that no consultations with the workers' representatives have taken place before the announcement of the redundancies, it would seem that the essential provisions of the Directive have not been respected. Furthermore, if the decision taken by the management falls within the scope of Council Directive 94/45/EC of 22 September 1994 on the establishment of a European Works Council or a procedure in Community-scale undertaking and Community-scale groups of undertakings for the purposes of informing and consulting employees(2), and within the scope of the agreement concluded on the basis of Article 13 of that Directive, then the adequate procedures for informing and consulting the European works council should have been followed.

It is not accurate to state that the above-mentioned Directives are inadequate, nevertheless the Commission shares the opinion of the Honourable Member that there is a need for further legislative action to supplement and complete, within a comprehensive Community framework, the existing national and Community provisions on information and consultation of employees. That is why the Commission initiated the consultation process with the social partners on a European framework for information and consultation in this regard.

(1) OJ L 245, 26.8.1992.

(2) OJ L 254, 30.9.1994.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3026/98

by Miguel Arias Cañete (PPE) to the Commission

(8 October 1998)

Subject: Admission of holders of German diplomas issued after six semesters of study to A/LA posts

In his answer of 10 February 1998 to Written Question E-4186/97(1) by Mrs Bárbara Dührkop, Commissioner Liikanen stated that the Commission admits holders of German diplomas issued after the minimum compulsory period of eight semesters to category A/LA posts in the European civil service.

In its defence against the action for annulment brought by Mr Vicente Alonso Morales (T-299/97, paragraph 3), the Commission declared that holders of the German "Fachhochschuldiplom" issued after eight semesters of study are admitted to category A/LA posts.

The notice of open competition COM/A/1047 published in OJ C 145, 13.5.1997 stipulates that periods of training count as professional experience.

Bearing in mind the above-mentioned facts, why does the Commission admit holders of the German "Fachhochschuldiplom" to category A/LA posts in the European civil service, given that the said qualification consists of a maximum of six semesters of study, together with a placement with an undertaking for one or two semesters as professional experience?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(20 October 1998)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question E-2740/98 by Mrs Vallelersundi(2).

(1) OJ C 304, 2.10.1998, p. 15.

(2) See page 141.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2580/98 by Bárbara DÜHRKOP DÜHRKOP to the Council. Right of European citizens to vote in local elections in Belgium



Official Journal C 096 , 08/04/1999 P. 0117



WRITTEN QUESTION E-2580/98 by Bárbara Dührkop Dührkop (PSE) to the Council (1 September 1998) Subject: Right of European citizens to vote in local elections in Belgium Following the decision of the Court of Justice of 9 July 1998 finding against Belgium for not having incorporated the implementing directive for Article 8b(1) of the Treaty, concerning the right of all European citizens, including those living in a Member State other than their Member State of origin, to vote in local elections, what measures does the Council intend to adopt to guarantee the right of all European citizens residing in Belgium to vote in the local elections to be held there in October 2000? Reply (19 October 1998) As the Honourable Member is aware, it is for the Court of Justice, pursuant to Article 164, to ensure that the law is observed in the interpretation and application of the Treaty, while it is for the Commission to ensure that Community law is duly applied, in keeping with Article 155. Pursuant to Article 171, it is also the Commission's duty to act should a Member State fail to take the necessary measures to comply with a judgment of the Court of Justice.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1918/98

by Winfried Menrad (PPE) to the Commission

(18 June 1998)

Subject: Italian language and cultural studies for school-age children of Italian origin in Baden-Württemberg

Mother-tongue teaching for children of Italian origin takes place in German schools in Baden-Württemberg and is provided by Italian officials, who are seconded to provide this service in the Federal Republic, by salaried teaching staff and, finally, by staff paid on a fee basis. The seconded officials have both a regulated income and satisfactory social cover.

The fee-paid staff have no sickness, pension or unemployment insurance; their working conditions are deteriorating rapidly, partly as a result of payments being made by the Italian Government at irregular intervals.

Will the Commission therefore state whether, and what, measures can be introduced at European level to ensure:

1. that children of Italian origin will continue to be taught in their mother tongue by qualified teaching staff;

2. that all teaching staff have proper employment contracts which comply with legal requirements in the Federal Republic and/or Italy?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(22 September 1998)

According to the information provided by the Honourable Member, teachers of Italian in Baden-Württemberg are paid by the Italian Government on differing terms and conditions.

Those various regimes (civil servant, wage earner and self-employed professional) are provided for in the domestic law of all the Member States and reflect a different approach to the exercise of a professional activity.

In this connection, except where it is possible to demonstrate the existence of discrimination based on nationality as between specially recruited teachers and fee-earning teachers, the Commission has no jurisdiction to impose a particular contractual system on teachers in Italy or Germany.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1998/98

by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke (ARE) to the Council

(29 June 1998)

Subject: Legal action against representatives of the Greek Rainbow Party

I gather that legal proceedings have been brought against four leaders of the Greek Rainbow Party (Vinozhito).

This party is completely legal and has already twice taken part in elections in Greece, including the European Parliament elections in 1994.

The events which gave rise to the court case against the four leaders, Vasilis Romas, Costas Tasopoulos, Petros Vasiliades and Pavlos Voskopoulos, are as follows: In September 1995 they are said to have instigated "mutual hatred among citizens" (Art. 192 of the Greek Criminal Code) by erecting a placard on which their party's name was displayed in two languages (Greek and Macedonian-Slavonic). In the ensuing disturbance, the whole contents of their new office in Florina was destroyed.

Is the Council aware of these outrageous facts and the proceedings which are pending? Does it agree that basic democratic and human rights are being disregarded here? Does the Council know of any possible measures which could guarantee the democratic and political rights of all Greeks and Greek political parties as well as the freedom of speech and freedom to choose one's language in Greece? Finally, is the Council prepared to place this issue on the agenda of the relevant Council meeting, with the necessary follow-up measures?

Reply

(22 October 1998)

It is not for the Council to comment on a matter which is the responsibility of the internal legal system of the Member State concerned.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2426/98

by Concepció Ferrer (PPE) to the Commission

(30 July 1998)

Subject: Cultural policy as a source of job creation

On account of its socio-economic dimension the culture sector is a major factor in endogenous regional development which is capable of making a significant contribution to employment, both in regional economies and in private industry.

To date the sector has created 3,1 million jobs in the EU Member States (2,1 % of the total). Many of these culture-related jobs and activities provide essentially part-time or self-employed work and are highly vulnerable from the point of view of stability and sustainability.

Has the Commission any proposals to help improve the stability and sustainability of employment in the sector concerned?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(2 October 1998)

The 1998 employment guidelines, adopted by the Council on 15 December 1997(1) established specific objectives to be incorporated into the national employment plans drawn up by the Member States. This important step toward co-ordination of the Member States' employment policies within the framework of the European employment strategy is based on the four pillars of employability, entrepreneurship, adaptability and equal opportunities. The policy orientations are particularly relevant for sectors of employment such as the cultural sector in seeking to promote an enterprise culture and a business-friendly environment, to improve the skills and the work experience of the workforce, and to take into account the fact that current forms of employment are increasingly diverse.

In the communication "Community policies in support of employment"(2) submitted to the Cardiff European Council, the Commission has made specific reference to the employment potential of this sector. Moreover, under the terms of Article 128 (4) of the draft Amsterdam Treaty, the Community must take cultural aspects into account and must reconcile the inherent objectives of the measures taken with cultural objectives, in particular as regards respect for cultural diversity, the encouragement of creativity and cultural development and support for cultural co-operation and exchanges. In its communication on the first Community framework programme in support of culture (2000-2004), presented on 6 May 1998(3), the Commission proposes to ensure the integration of cultural aspects into Community action and policy under three headings, namely a legislative framework favourable to culture, the cultural dimension of support policies and culture in the Community's external relations.

(1) OJ C 30, 28.1.1998.

(2) COM(98) 354 final.

(3) COM(98) 266 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2397/98

by Heidi Hautala (V) to the Commission

(27 July 1998)

Subject: Position of midwives

The work of midwives has a long tradition in Finnish maternity care. Nowadays practice has changed. Women are not in the care of a midwife throughout pregnancy, but often encounter one for the first time when soon to give birth. Midwives are not allowed to work in maternity advice centres, which restricts their scope to exercise their profession. The "district nursing" (Fi. väestövastuu) system has meant that one nurse/health care officer may have only a few pregnant women per year in her care. This puts at risk the preservation of professional skills, and entails the danger that problematic or high-risk pregnancies may not be recognised.

The training of midwifery students in the care of pregnant women is not provided by midwives, and consequently Directive 80/155/EEC(1) is not being applied in Finland. What measures does the Commission propose to take to ensure that these problems are eliminated and this directive applied in Finland?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(22 September 1998)

The Commission is not aware of the problems mentioned by the Honourable Member. They do not appear, however, to infringe Council Directive 80/155/EEC of 21 January 1980 concerning the coordination of provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action relating to the taking-up and pursuit of the activities of midwives.

As regards the fact that midwifery training is not entrusted to a midwife in Finland, Directive 80/155/EEC does not stipulate which professional has to be responsible for such training. Accordingly, this is a matter exclusively for the Member State concerned.

As for the other problems mentioned, they too do not appear to be at variance with the Directive in so far as it does not establish for midwifes a monopoly over the exercise of their activities, which are listed in Article 4.

(1) OJ L 33, 11.2.1980, p. 8.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2845/98

by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission

(28 September 1998)

Subject: Risk of asbestos contamination

Around 1500 people work in the buildings that house the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato (state mint and printing institute) located in Via Salaria in Rome (where, among other things, the Official Gazette is printed), which is staffed 24 hours a day. On more than one occasion in recent years the unions have lodged formal complaints about the risk posed by the presence of asbestos used to insulate the buildings' ceilings (work carried out at the end of the 1960s). Following these complaints and action taken by the public prosecutor, the environmental conditions inside the buildings were checked. These checks revealed the presence of "amosite" asbestos reaching levels of between 10 and 25 fibres per litre, which are well in excess of the legal limits. Despite this, no measures were taken to make alterations to the buildings in question.

In view of the above:

1. Does the Commission not consider it should prevail upon the Italian authorities to ensure that the current situation in the above buildings is checked?

2. Does it not consider that in the case in question there has been a failure to protect workers in the workplace that is a clear violation of Community Directives 83/477/EEC(1) and 91/382/EEC(2)?

3. If so, does it intend to initiate proceedings against the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato?

4. What is its view on this matter?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(6 November 1998)

The directives on the protection of workers exposed to asbestos referred to by the Honourable Member have been incorporated into Italian law. Questions regarding implementation fall under the competence of the Italian authority responsible for ensuring adequate control and surveillance.

However, the Commission notes that the result of the dust level measurements referred to in the question does not indicate any exceeding of the limit values set out in Article 8 of Council Directive 83/477/EEC of 19 September 1983 on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to asbestos at work (second individual Directive within the meaning of Article 8 of Directive 80/1107/EEC).

(1) OJ L 263, 24.5.1983, p. 25.

(2) OJ L 206, 29.7.1991, p. 16.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2482/98

by Franz Linser (NI) to the Council

(1 September 1998)

Subject: Visits to parliamentary committees by members of the Austrian Federal Government

In order to ensure satisfactory communication between the Council and the European Parliament, it is customary for the relevant Ministers of the Member State which holds the Council Presidency to visit Parliament's committees and, inter alia, present their programmes.

1. Will an Austrian Federal Minister or an Austrian Secretary of State visit the Committee on Transport and Tourism between now and 31 December 1998?

2. If so, when, and who will it be?

3. If not, why not?

Reply

(9 November 1998)

As the Honourable Member will no doubt be aware, Mr Einem, the Austrian Minister for Science and Transport, and Mr Farnleitner, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, met the European Parliament's Committee on Transport and Tourism on 1 and 28 September 1998 respectively, to present the Presidency's programme.

Statements to Parliamentary Committees by Ministers from the Member State holding the Presidency of the Council have now become a well-established practice, which helps encourage exchanges of views between the Council and the European Parliament on the various subjects under examination.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2158/98

by Katerina Daskalaki (UPE) to the Council

(14 July 1998)

Subject: Danger facing the oldest monastery in the world situated in Turkey

The Mar Gabriel Syrian Orthodox monastery, the oldest monastery in the world, is situated in an area of southern Turkey affected by the Kurdish conflict. The local authorities are preventing the training of novices at Mar Gabriel and refusing to allow any conservation work to be carried out, with the result that the historic monastery, which is already suffering from neglect, is falling into a state of total disrepair.

Can the Council make representations to the Turkish authorities with a view to ending the deterioration of this sixteen-hundred-year-old Christian monastery and the infringements of the rights of the very few monks remaining there?

Reply

(9 November 1998)

The Council regrets the developments concerning the Mar Gabriel monastery. For its part, the Austrian Presidency raised this matter at one of its recent bilateral meetings with Turkish officials and intends to bring up the subject of Christian minorities in Turkey again at future meetings.

The Council is well aware that under the Treaty of Lausanne, signed in July 1923, the Turkish Government undertook to grant full protection to churches, synagogues, cemeteries and other religious establishments of non-Muslim minorities.

In this context, the Council would stress that the promotion of human rights, and religious freedom in particular, is a fundamental aim of the European Union in its relations with Turkey. It regrets that Turkey currently refuses to continue its political dialogue with the EU in this area.