ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2407/97 by Marie-Noëlle Lienemann (PSE) to the Commission (10 July 1997)

Subject: Measures to combat discrimination against homosexuals

Homosexuals are still subject to discrimination in many European countries, particularly as regards their personal and family life. All too frequently they are unable to live as a couple and enjoy the rights and duties deriving from marriage.

Associations all over Europe are demanding genuine European citizenship for homosexuals and the introduction of legislation to allow marriages between two persons of the same sex for those who wish to form this special bond.

Will the Commission propose to the relevant bodies in the European Union that a civil contract of social union be introduced in the fifteen Member States, together with legislation to end the discrimination still affecting homosexuals, in accordance with the proposals put forward in the report by Mrs Claudia Roth (DOC A3-0028/94 ((OJ C 61, 28.2.1994, p. 40. )))?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2307/97, E-2407/97 and E-2435/97 given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (9 September 1997)

The Commission wishes to inform the Honourable Members that, at the time when the Roth report was adopted (February 1994), the Community Treaties did not bestow on the institutions any specific powers for tackling discrimination based on sexual orientation.

The draft Treaty of Amsterdam introduced a new legal basis (new Article 6a in the EC Treaty) for the adoption of Community measures needed to combat, among other things, discrimination based on sexual orientation.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1866/97 by Johannes Swoboda (PSE) to the Council (30 May 1997)

Subject: Planned meeting schedule for the discussion on the ban of landmines

What meetings will take place between May and December 1997 to determine the Council's position on the ban of landmines as the issue is discussed in the Campaign for Disarmament and the Ottawa Process?

Answer (25 September 1997)

As the Honourable Member will be aware, the framework for the Council's position on anti-personnel landmines (APL) is determined by the joint action on APL which it adopted on 1 October 1996. At the heart of this joint action is the expression of the European Union's commitment to the goal of the total elimination of APL and to working actively towards the achievement at the earliest possible date of an effective international agreement to ban these weapons worldwide.

Since adoption of the joint action, the EU has actively pursued its implementation. At the International Conference in Brussels on achieving a complete ban on anti-personnel landmines, held from 24 to 27 June 1997 which was attended by a European Parliament delegation, the Council Presidency gave a presentation of the EU's follow-up to the joint action. At Working Group level, the issue of APL is handled by the CFSP Working Group on Global Disarmament and Arms Control, which covers all disarmament issues dealt with in multilateral fora. The Working Group generally meets at least four times per Presidency. Since May 1997, it has discussed APL at three meetings, in mid-May, early June and in July. Other meetings are scheduled for September and November. Additional meetings will be scheduled as the need arises, either in Brussels or in the margins of sessions of international disarmament fora.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2288/97 by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Commission (2 July 1997)

Subject: EU funding for Dublin Port Tunnel

How much funding have the Irish authorities sought to date from the European Union for the design and construction of the proposed Dublin Port Tunnel?

How much has been allocated to date by the EU to this project? Have any decisions for further funding been made and are further payments likely in the foreseeable future?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (5 September 1997)

On 9 June 1995, the Commission received an application from the Irish government requesting 3.51 MECU in assistance from the Cohesion fund for part of the pre-construction phase of the proposed Dublin port access route. On 18 December 1995, the Commission approved a grant of 3.19 MECU from the Cohesion fund for the project. This decision covered only the planning and design elements of the application and excluded an amount requested for land purchase. It did not cover any type of construction expenditure.

On 30 January 1996, the Irish government requested that the amount of assistance should be increased to 5.85 MECU and on 9 December 1996 the Commission approved a modification of the initial decision which raised the Cohesion fund contribution to the project to the amount requested. There was no change in the elements of the project covered by this second decision (land purchase and construction were not included).

The amount of 5.85 MECU is the total committed to the project by the Commission from the Cohesion fund. An amount of ECU 187 500 had been granted to the project before 9 June 1995 from the European regional development fund and this funding was also used for the planning and design phase. These two amounts are the total sum of grant aid from Community financial instruments to the project.

The Irish government has not requested any additional assistance for the design and planning phase nor for any subsequent phase. Since no further application for assistance has been received, the question of further decisions by the Commission about grant aid to the project does not arise.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2198/97 by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Council (25 June 1997)

Subject: Novel food regulation No 258/97 - Recording data on novel food products

What authorities are responsible, pursuant to the novel food regulation, for recording data in databases on all products which are approved or which have been registered?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2198/97, E-2200/97 and E-2202/97 (28 October 1997)

The detailed rules governing the protection of data provided by an applicant for a marketing authorization are adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 13 of the Regulation referred to by the Honourable Member.

Regulation No 258/97 ((OJ L 43, 14.02.1997. )) makes no provision for the systematic publication of either the scientific data submitted or the evaluation of that data, nor does it make provision for the designation of authorities competent for recording data concerning the products approved or notidied in accordance with that Regulation.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2534/97 by Kirsten Jensen (PSE) and John Iversen (PSE) to the Commission (24 July 1997)

Subject: Animal welfare

Will the Commission take steps to produce a green paper on animal welfare in the Union?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (15 September 1997)

The Commission has been working towards achieving an improvement of animal welfare in various sectors. For that purpose, it has adopted a number of provisions and it will continue to do so, where necessary. On the other hand, the Commission has no plans at present to issue a green paper on the subject.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2806/97 by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission (1 September 1997)

Subject: Road accident statistics

Will the Commission provide a breakdown of both the total numbers and as a ratio to population the number of children:

1. Killed

2. Seriously injured

3. Slightly injured

in each Member State for the last available comparable year?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (17 September 1997)

The Commission can provide a detailed breakdown of children killed, seriously injured and slightly injured per age group in so far as this information is gathered by the Member States.

However, it should be borne in mind that a proper interpretation of these statistics should take into account the different definitions used in Member States as well as the different levels of reporting.

As the requested information comprises several pages of statistics and explanatory notes, it is sent direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2152/97 by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Council (24 June 1997)

Subject: Novel food regulation No 258/97 - Submission of DNA reference samples by applicants for a product

Is there any provision for manufacturers of genetically engineered food to submit to the supervisory bodies the information they need to perform their tasks (e.g. information on the detailed structure of the genetically engineered matter)?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2144/97, E-2146/97 and E-2152/97 (20 October 1997)

Subject to implementation of ARticle 8 (3), Regulation No 258/97 does not specifically provide for setting up supervisory bodies as referred to by the Honourable Member.

The practical arrangements for monitoring the implementation of this Regulation at national level are the responsibility of the Member States.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2618/97 by Jan Sonneveld (PPE) to the Commission (18 July 1997)

Subject: Export of dried bird droppings to France

On 17 June 1997 the prefecture of the French département of Aube refused to grant authorization for the transport of dried bird droppings. It said that the application was incompatible with the industrial waste disposal plan for the region of Champagne-Ardenne which gives priority to locally produced fertilizers.

1. Is the Commission of the opinion that dried bird droppings are a high-grade animal fertilizer which customers would be willing to pay for, and which should not therefore be regarded as a waste product?

2. Is the Commission of the opinion that just as cereals are an essential input for livestock farming, so high-grade fertilizer is an essential input for the cultivation of certain agricultural products?

3. Is the Commission of the opinion that a ban on importing such high-grade fertilizers is an infringement of the rules of the internal market?

4. Is the Commission prepared to deal appropriately with the prefecture in question with a view to withdrawing this barrier to trade?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (12 September 1997)

From the veterinary point of view, intra-Community trade in chicken droppings falls within the scope of Council Directive 92/118/CE ((OJ L 62 of 15.3.1993. )) laying down animal health and public health requirements governing trade in and imports into the Community of products not subject to the said requirements laid down in specific Community rules.

From the point of view of environmental protection (protection of groundwater, muck-spreading plans), there are no specific Community rules regarding trade in chicken droppings. National rules therefore apply, subject to the general Community rules on the matter.

The Commission has just learned of the main points of this case, which it will not fail to examine, if necessary, under the procedure provided for in Article 169 of the EC treaty.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2661/97 by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Council (1 September 1997)

Subject: Need to incorporate conventions of the International Labour Organization into the World Trade Organization

Solidar, the alliance of non-governmental organizations working on worker and trade union rights, has launched a campaign urging the incorporation of seven key conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO) into the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The conventions are aimed at protecting fundamental rights in the workplace, including the right to join a trade union, the right not to be subject to slavery or forced labour, the right to one's own childhood and the right not to be subject to negative discrimination on grounds of sex, race, religion, ethnic or political opinions.

Does the Council support the proposals made by Solidar? Will it work so that the WTO commits itself to respecting worker and trade union rights along the lines suggested?

Answer (28 October 1997)

The first WTO Ministerial Conference held in Singapore from 9 to 13 December 1996 studied at length the problem of fundamental labour standards. In this context, the Council would remind the Honourable Member that the final declaration adopted by that Conference with the European Union's approval established clearly that the ILO was the competent body for setting and dealing with such standards. The declaration pointed out however that the WTO and ILO Secretariats "will continue their existing cooperation¨.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2504/97 by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission (18 July 1997)

Subject: Implementation of the gender resolution

The Council resolution on 'Integrating gender issues in development cooperation' of 20.12.1995 committed the EU to integrate gender analysis at all levels of its development cooperation policies.

How has this commitment been implemented in the new MEDA regulation (EC) No 1488/96 ((OJ L 189, 30.7.1996, p. 1. )) of 23.7.1996?

What staff have been allocated by the Commission to ensure that a gender analysis is integrated into all aspects of the MEDA programme?

More generally, what steps have been taken by the Commission to coordinate its work on gender analysis with that undertaken by development cooperation departments in the Member States?

Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission (15 September 1997)

The Meda Regulation (EC) No 1488/96 ((OJ L 189, 30.7.1996. )) opens up possibilities for promoting the role of women in economic and social life in the twelve Mediterranean partners mentioned in the MEDA Regulation. Annex II.V. of this Regulation, which sets out the overall objectives for MEDA co-operation, refers to the need for co-operation to take account of the promotion of women's economic and social roles, and emphasises the importance of education and of creating employment opportunities for women. Gender specific activities have been undertaken through several funding mechanisms. Based on these experiences and as the new framework agreements with the Mediterranean third countries are signed, further measures will be taken to integrate gender analysis.

The staff available for support to gender analysis of the MEDA co-operation as well as for other co-operation instruments in the Mediterranean region are presently one gender expert from the gender desk (responsible for Asia, Latin America and Mediterranean co-operation generally), and one gender focal point, who is also responsible for other horizontal questions. In the future, special gender experts will be part of the Mediterranean support teams currently tendered. These teams should be operational as of the beginning of 1998.

The gender desks hold annual co-ordination meetings with experts from the Member States in the field of gender and development co-operation. These occasions are used for discussions of a wide range of topics, including co-operation between the Commission and Member States. In addition to this, regular informal contacts are maintained with the Member States which give opportunities to co-ordinate future activities or simply to share information. An example of the pooling of information and working tools between the Commission and the Member States is that a series of gender profiles for Mediterranean countries recently produced by an external consultant for the Commission have also been shared with the gender and development experts of the Member States.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2651/97 by Roberto Mezzaroma (UPE) to the Commission (1 September 1997)

Subject: Single currency coins

On 9 June 1997 ECOFIN, the Council of Finance Ministers, of Finance approved the draft regulation on the denominations and technical specifications of euro coins; this proposal for a regulation, which was also endorsed by the recent Amsterdam Summit, would completely preclude the use of stainless steel.

Stainless steel offers the following advantages:

1. economic: a saving of over ECU 300 million would be made, taking into account only the three intermediate-denomination coins (0.1, 0.2 and 0.5 euro),

2. technical: the material lends itself to coin production, maintains appearance and shape, and is suitable for vending machines,

3. health: the stainless steels used in the coins produced by the Mints of the principal Member States present no risk to public health;

4. recyclability: the proportion of scrap steel used in the manufacture of stainless steel is about 80%, and the product is 100% recyclable;

5. ecological: stainless steel products do not present any risk to the environment;

6. supply: there would be no problems with regard to the production of the euro coins (c. 300 000 tonnes).

What are the initiatives and reasons which have narrowed down the choice so far to coins containing copper or copper alloys and completely ruled out the use of stainless steel, which is a typically European product (with Europe accounting for 44% of world output)?

Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission (23 September 1997)

On 29 May 1997 the Commission adopted a proposal for a Regulation on denominations and technical specifications of euro coins ((OJ 208, 9.7.1997. )) which was agreed in principle by the Council meeting (Economic and Financial Affairs) held on 9 June. This proposal is the result of the preparatory work which has been carried out by the mint directors of the Member States since 1994 and of the intensive consultations with user groups (consumers, the visually handicapped and the blind, and the vending machines industry).

The materials chosen satisfy a number of technical, public health and security considerations, among others.

The choice of materials is based on the results of numerous tests carried out on a wide range of materials, one of which was stainless steel. The availability of adequate production capacities for the materials adopted was also checked.

Stainless steel is not one of the materials proposed, mainly because it did not satisfy all the security criteria required and because of the high production costs resulting from the wear on the production equipment.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2623/97 by Christine Oddy (PSE) to the Commission (1 September 1997)

Subject: Mordechai Vanunu

Mordechai Vanunu has been in solitary confinement in an Israeli prison for over ten years. His abduction in Italy in 1986 by the Israel secret police is widely condemned and his subsequent treatment is out of all proportion to any threat that he poses to Israeli national security.

What does the Commission propose to do to encourage the Israeli Government to recognize that ten years' solitary confinement is cruel and inhuman punishment, amounting to torture, and that his release is long overdue?

Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission (30 September 1997)

The Commission is aware that Mr. Vanunu's imprisonment conditions have not changed since he was sentenced and would certainly view favourably any change aiming at a more ordinary prison regime. In this regard, the Commission shares the view that Mr. Vanunu's imprisonment in solitary confinement no longer seems to serve the purpose of preventing him from publicizing information which is sensitive for Israel.

The issue of human rights in Israel is regularly raised by the Community for discussion as appropriate during contacts with Israeli authorities.

The completion of the process of ratification of the Euro-Mediterranean association agreement establishing a framework of political dialogue with Israel will enable the Community as a whole, and the Commission as such, to exercise a higher degree of positive influence regarding all human rights-related issues, including that of the imprisonment of Mr. Vanunu. In this regard, it should be noted that the agreement includes a human rights clause that stipulates that respect for human rights constitutes an essential element of the agreement.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2589/97 by Hilde Hawlicek (PSE) to the Commission (29 July 1997)

Subject: Cultural Capitals of Europe and European Cultural Month

After the year 2000, Cultural Capitals of Europe and the European Cultural Month will lapse.

What action is to be taken thereafter with regard to these two institutions?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission (22 September 1997)

The Commission has stated that at the beginning of next autumn it will present a proposal for specific action based on Article 128 of the EC Treaty to enhance the European dimension of this event and to involve more operators and artists from the various Member States in joint projects.

Moreover, the Commission would draw Parliament's attention to the special situation prevailing in the year 2001. Given the time required to adopt a proposal based on Article 128 and the need to give organisers sufficient time to make the necessary preparations, the Commission feels it would be preferable for its proposal for a decision to cover the year 2002 to 2006, with the Council of Ministers (culture) designating this event for the year 2001 for the last time in accordance with existing procedure.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2470/97 by Freddy Blak (PSE) to the Commission (16 July 1997)

Subject: Free movement of labour

Has the EU, in connection with the introduction of the free movement of labour, considered helping the Member States by drawing up a set of rules guaranteeing effective and mutual exchanges of information on periods of employment and incomes with a view to preventing fraud with social benefits including unemployment benefits? How will the Commission guarantee taxation either in the country in which the work is performed or in the country in which the wage earner has his permanent residence?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (15 September 1997)

Article 51 of the EC Treaty requires the Council to adopt such measures in the field of social security as are necessary to provide freedom of movement for workers.

Within this framework ((Council Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 of 14June 1971 on the application of social security schemes to employed persons, to self-employed persons and to members of their families moving within the Community (OJ L 149, 5.7.1971), Articles 81 and 85 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 574/72 of 21 March 1972 laying down the procedure for implementing Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 (OJ L 4, 27.3.1972), more specifically Articles 2, 50 cf. 117, as most recently amended by Regulation (EC) No 1290/97 of 27June 1997 (OJ L 176, 4.7.1997). )), the Commission and the Administrative Commission on Social Security for Migrant Workers have developed the Telematics in Social Security (TESS) programme, the main objective of which is to speed up the granting and calculation of social benefits for migrant workers.

The information necessary to establish entitlement to social benefits and to calculate the amounts due are exchanged between the competent institutions of the Member States using standardised forms. The TESS programme projects will allow exchanges of information on paper to be replaced by telematic exchanges, thanks in particular to the development of common standards for the identification of insured persons, identification of the competent institution, and periods of insurance completed in another Member State. The first telematic exchanges have taken place among eight Member States under a pilot project for the exchange of data in the pensions sector. The TESS programme will not be extended to the unemployment sector until the results of the current projects have been assessed. The rapid and efficient application of national and Community legislation in the field of social security for migrant workers is one of the objectives of the TESS programme. The outcome will be that telematic exchanges of data between competent institutions will allow more effective monitoring of the granting of social benefits.