ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0807/03

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(17 March 2003)

Subject: Tackling the problem of substandard work in Greece

In its answer to my question P-1270/02(1) on substandard work in Greece, the Commission stated that it had not yet received any information from the Greek authorities on the outcome of the steps taken to remedy the defects in category-2 and 3 projects. In the same answer it refers the author of this question to an answer to an earlier question (E-1894/01(2)) on the communication of substandard work in projects funded under the 2nd CSF in Greece to the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) on the basis of Commission Regulation (EC) 1681/94 of 11 July 1994(3).

Will the Commission say:

- Does it have any more recent information on the percentage of substandard work in Greece?

- Is it aware of the actual outcome of the steps taken to remedy the defects in category-2 and 3 projects and, if so, what was the outcome?

- Have the Greek authorities forwarded a communication in addition to that referred to in the answer to my question E-1894/01 on the basis of Commission Regulation (EC) 1681/94 of 11 July 1994 to the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) concerning irregularities and the recovery of sums wrongly paid in connection with the financing of the Structural Funds and the organisation of an information system in this field?

(1) OJ C 28 E, 6.2.2003, p. 92.

(2) OJ C 134 E, 6.6.2002, p. 5.

(3) OJ L 178, 12.7.1994, p. 43.

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(5 May 2003)

The Honourable member poses three questions:

1. The Commission's services have now received closure statements for all operational programmes included in the second CSF, the majority at the end of March 2003. These statements include a listing of public works in category ii), for which the Greek authorities certify that appropriate action has been taken either because remedial works have been done, or because appropriate financial sanctions have been imposed on contractors. In some other cases, it is said that appropriate action will be taken within three months. In the framework of the closure procedures, the Commission's services will examine these declarations.

2. Regarding operational programmes during the period 2000-2006, the Commission assures the Honourable Member that the qualitative aspects of the projects co-financed by the CSF III are checked thoroughly during the enquiries carried out by its audit services, most recently in November 2002. However, because the preliminary findings of these enquiries are still in the process of being examined with the Greek authorities, it is premature to draw conclusions.

3. Pursuant to the Commission Regulation (EC) No 1681/94 of 11 July 1994(1), the Greek authorities communicated to OLAF up to December 2002, forty one cases for CSF II containing very serious deficiencies (category iii cases). Recently, the Greek authorities communicated to OLAF that after supplementary controls made by ESPEL, the 41 cases have been classified as follows: 28 cases in category iii, 9 cases in category ii and 4 cases in category i.

(1) OJ L 179, 12.7.1994.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1376/03

by Juan Izquierdo Collado (PSE) to the Commission

(7 April 2003)

Subject: Advances Objective 1 research projects

What is the interpretation of Article 32 of Regulation (EC) 1260/1999(1) and the Commission's definitive position with regard to payment of advances and the issue of whether they are to be taken into account (or not) for the n+2 rule, in respect of research projects cofunded under the Structural Funds included in the Spanish Objective 1 R & D operational programme in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003?

(1) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(16 May 2003)

Article 32(1) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds stipulates that interim payments and payments of the balance are to relate to expenditure actually paid out, which must correspond to payments effected by the final beneficiaries, supported by receipted invoices or accounting documents of equivalent probative value.

Commission Regulation (EC) No 1685/2000 of 28 July 2000(1) laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 as regards eligibility of expenditure of operations co-financed by the Structural Funds defines the concept expenditure actually paid out. In order to clarify this concept, the Commission sent an interpretative note to Member States in September 2001. The note stresses that payments of advances by final beneficiaries must not be included in expenditure declared to the Commission.

With a view to including advances in eligible expenditure in certain cases, the Commission undertook to present a proposal for amendment of Regulation (EC) No 1685/2000. That proposal having been rejected by the majority of Member States, the Commission informed them on 19 February 2003 that it would not be making further proposals.

Because of legitimate expectations which may have arisen during the discussion, advances for which the decision granting aid was taken by Member States before 19 February 2003 and advances for which aid was granted by appeal to proposals closed before 19 February 2003 are considered eligible for Community part-financing.

Payment requests corresponding to advances thus covered on the basis of legitimate expectation will be taken into account for application of the N+2 rule. Moreover, this clarification of the ineligibility rules on advances corresponding to arrangements after 19 February 2003 applies only to advances not mobilised by the final beneficiary. This has no bearing on the eligibility of payment requests corresponding to actual utilisation of advances by the final beneficiary. With regard to the Operational Programme Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación Objetivo 1 (2000-2006), approved by Commission decision on 26 February 2001, the initial deadline for possible application of the N+2 rule is 31 December 2003.

(1) OJ L 193, 29.7.2000.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1184/03

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(1 April 2003)

Subject: Community aid

The management of companies belonging to the group of Fabolin Linhas, Cetins e Têxteis Lar, Ltd (Fabolin, Rustilinho and Nobrylinho), based in Vila Verde in the district of Braga, Portugal, is illegally dismissing employees, including four pregnant women. It should be noted that this enterprise has achieved a certain notoriety through its use of clandestine and child workers.

Employees assume that the enterprise has received Community aid for the construction of the new building and employment aid, notably between 1990 and 1995.

Will the Commission say what it knows about possible Community aid for this group and what measures are to be taken to protect employees' rights?

Joint answerto Written questions E-1184/03 and E-1185/03given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(22 May 2003)

The information available to the Commission, which has been confirmed by the Portuguese authorities, shows that in 1989 Fabolin received PTE 18 139 000 in Community aid as part-financing from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). However, no aid has been granted to Decobook Lda. It is up to the Member State to take the legal action required to recover that aid if it turns out that it has not been used in accordance with the agreements it made with the firm when the aid was granted.

Similarly in the case of workers' rights, it is up to the Member State to ensure the application of the national legislation in force, with due regard to the relevant Community directives.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1442/03

by Caroline Jackson (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(24 April 2003)

Subject: The revision of the Battery Directive 91/157/EEC

A Targeted Risk Assessment Report on cadmium (oxide) used in batteries is being carried out in accordance with Council Regulation (EEC) 793/93(1) on the evaluation and control of the risks of existing substances.

At the same time, the Commission is preparing an extended impact assessment of selected policy options for the revision of the Battery Directive 91/157/EEC(2).

Can the Commission say when the results of the Targeted Risk Assessment Report are expected to be officially available?

As the results of the targeted risk assessment represent an essential element of the Extended Impact Assessment of the Battery Directive's revision, will the Commission ensure that the results will be fully taken into consideration for the preparation of the Extended Impact Assessment?

Are Targeted Risk Assessment Reports available or under preparation on other metals used in batteries such as lead, nickel, cobalt and zinc?

(1) OJ L 84, 5.4.1993, p. 1.

(2) OJ L 78, 26.3.1991, p. 38.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(19 May 2003)

The Commission now expects the results of the Targeted Risk Assessment on cadmium (oxide) used in batteries conducted by Belgium to become publicly available before autumn.

So far, the Belgian rapporteur for the Targeted Risk Assessment on cadmium (oxide) used in batteries has circulated several draft reports. The Commission intends to take the preliminary results of these draft reports into consideration for the preparation of the Extended Impact Assessment.

Other general risk assessments on metals have been, or are being carried out on priority substances identified in accordance with Article 8(1) of Council Regulation (EEC) 793/93 of 23 March 2003. These include nickel (Danish rapporteur) and zinc (Dutch rapporteur). For lead, a voluntary risk assessment is ongoing, which follows the same assessment procedures, but without a formal Member State rapporteur. A complete list of the identified priority substances for risk assessments as well as a summary of the finalised risk assessment reports, can be found on the following web page: http://ecb.jrc.it/existing-chemicals/.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0875/03

by Giovanni Pittella (PSE) to the Commission

(20 March 2003)

Subject: National Mountain Fund

Knoowing that:

- Law No 97 of the Italian Republic of 31 January 1994 sets out new measures for mountain areas. Article 2 sets up the National Mountain Fund, and Article 5 of that article states that the criteria for the distribution of funds to the regions and provinces are to be approved by a decision of the Interministerial Economic Planning Committee (CIPE);

- the CIPE decision of 2 August 2002 defined criteria for the distribution of funds and percentage quotas from the National Mountain Fund;

- following the Italian Finance Ministry Decree of 29 November 2002, the Italian Department of General Accounts has reduced funds under chapters of expenditure;

- the decree of the Director-General of the Department for Development and Management Policy of 12 December 2002 reduced the amount of money available to the National Fund, diminishing the allocations due to regions and autonomous provinces, while respecting the percentages approved in the above-mentioned CIPE decision;

- this decree would require regions to revise their budgets and reduce payments to mountain communities, areas that are underdeveloped and at the risk of depopulation.

What initiatives does the Commission intend to take to ensure that mountain communities receive the payments planned in 2002, the International Year of Mountains, without reducing services to the local population?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(24 April 2003)

The law of 31 January 1994 to which the Honourable Member refers is a law of the Italian Republic. The Commission therefore has no power to influence its application.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1766/03

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(28 May 2003)

Subject: Delays in the signing of concession contracts for the PATHE highway

The Greek Government has announced plans to award concession contracts for the construction of eight sections of the PATHE highway linking Patras to Athens, Thessaloniki and Evzoni. Many of the preliminary surveys were funded from the Second Community Support Framework. However, long delays have affected the signing of those contracts. For example in September 2002 four consortia were shortlisted to submit final competing bids for the 25-km Evangelismos-Skotina section incorporating two twin tunnels totalling 11 km in length. However, the companies whose bids were rejected immediately lodged an appeal. The Ministry of the Environment, Regional Planning and Public Works is currently surmising that the concession contract will finally be signed early in 2004, the project being scheduled for completion in 2008. At the same time, the awarding of concession contracts for other sections of the PATHE highway is also being held up.

Can the Commission provide the following information:

1. Has the competitive tendering procedure for the Evangelismos-Skotina section encountered legal obstacles and, if so, what is the exact nature of these obstacles?

2. What was the initial timetable awarding concession contracts for the remaining sections of the PATHE highway and what stage has been reached by proceedings?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(23 July 2003)

The Commission is not informed of any legal obstacles regarding tendering procedures for the completion of the Patras-Athens-Thessaloniki road axe.

Under the Operational Programme Road Axes, Ports, Urban Development 2000-2006, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) will provide assistance for this project of EUR 125 million, in relation to total public expenditure of EUR 250 million. It is expected that the Greek authorities will agree the concession contracts by 2006. The public contribution from national and Community sources must be paid to the final beneficiaries, in this case the concessionaries, by the end of 2008.

Payment of the public assistance provided for the PATHE concession contracts by the above mentioned Operational Programme will be possible by the end of 2008.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0441/03

by Teresa Almeida Garrett (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(18 February 2003)

Subject: Closure of the C. & J. Clark footwear factory in Castelo de Paiva (Portugal)

On 10 January 2003 the multinational company C. & J. Clark Fábrica de Calçado, Lda, a maker of footwear located in Castelo de Paiva (Portugal), announced the closure of its factory, thus making 588 workers redundant.

The decision to close this factory is justified by the company itself on grounds relating to imports of vamps from India and Romania and the objective of maintaining a competitive price structure (cf. press release issued by the Clark management on 10 January 2003).

Clark set up operations in Castelo de Paiva in 1988, with both national and Community aid. In May 2000 the company signed a protocol with the local municipal council in which it undertook to continue operations up to at least 2007, in return for a significant level of investment from the municipality.

Castelo de Paiva is a municipality located in the Portuguese interior, with a very fragile economy. The closure of this undertaking will bring in its wake disastrous economic and social consequences.

Given that this decision to close runs totally counter to the notion of corporate social responsibility, can the Commission answer the following questions:

- What sums were granted from Community funds, and when, to the company Clark Fábrica de Calçado, Lda in Castelo de Paiva?

- What conditions were required from this company in relation to the above Community funding?

- Should it be established that Clark is in breach of its obligations regarding its receipt of Community support, what action will the Commission take to prevent the factory's closure and ensure the continuation of its activities in Castelo Paiva, guaranteeing the workers' jobs?

- What political measures will the Commission take in order to prevent, and, ultimately, penalise actions of this nature, as frequently perpetrated by companies which establish themselves in the EU, receive Community funding and then, having exhausted its advantages and benefits (above all on the human level), relocate their operations?

Joint answerto Written questions E-0286/03, E-0287/03,E-0288/03, E-0289/03, E-0290/03, E-0301/03 and E-0441/03given by Ms Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(12 March 2003)

The Honourable Members are kindly asked to refer to the answer given by the Commission to Written Question P-0089/03 from Ms Bastos(1).

(1) See page 67.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1185/03

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(1 April 2003)

Subject: Community aid

On 12 February employees of Decobook Ltd. based in Braga in Portugal, (which forms part of the French Multinational Visualis, based in Burges) found the plant closed indefinitely. According to the management, this measure is due to a temporary lack of work. Employees have been denied any legal documentation regularising their employment status vis-à-vis the enterprise, in particular a notification of suspension of work without any loss of wages, letter of dismissal or declaration enabling them to claim unemployment benefit until they resume work.

Will the Commission say whether this group receives Community aid, either in Portugal or in France, and what measures are to be taken to protect employees' rights?

Joint answerto Written questions E-1184/03 and E-1185/03given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(22 May 2003)

The information available to the Commission, which has been confirmed by the Portuguese authorities, shows that in 1989 Fabolin received PTE 18 139 000 in Community aid as part-financing from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). However, no aid has been granted to Decobook Lda. It is up to the Member State to take the legal action required to recover that aid if it turns out that it has not been used in accordance with the agreements it made with the firm when the aid was granted.

Similarly in the case of workers' rights, it is up to the Member State to ensure the application of the national legislation in force, with due regard to the relevant Community directives.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1193/03

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(1 April 2003)

Subject: Use of funds under the Sport for the Disabled programme by the municipality of Florence

In September 2002, the monitoring committee of the Italian Ministry for Economic Affairs issued a report on the spending of EU funds.

The report reveals the alarming slowness and inefficiency with which EU funds are allocated to projects by some regional authorities.

The grave concerns about the inadequate use of European funds by local authorities have frequently been echoed by the Commission.

Bearing in mind that some local authorities, such as the municipality of Florence, urgently need to use European funds for the integration of disabled people through sport,

can the Commission state:

1. whether the municipality of Florence has submitted projects for the Sport for the Disabled programme?

2. whether the municipality of Florence has secured funding for these projects?

3. whether this funding has been used?

Joint answerto Written questions E-0860/03, E-0885/03, E-1191/03, E-1192/03,E-1193/03, E-1194/03, E-1195/03, E-1196/03, E-1197/03, E-1198/03,E-1199/03, E-1200/03, E-1201/03, E-1202/03 and E-1203/03given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(23 April 2003)

The Commission does not doubt the importance of integrating disabled persons through sport, but has no specific programme in this field.

As regards the possible part-financing by the European Regional Development Fund of the Italian cities listed by the Honourable Member, the Commission would invite her to refer to its replies to her Written Questions E-0834/03(1), E-1118/03(2), E-1119/03(3) to E-1124/03 and E-1125/03(4).

(1) OJ C 280 E, 21.11.2003, p. 96.

(2) See page 160.

(3) OJ C 268 E, 7.11.2003, p. 172.

(4) OJ C 280 E, 21.11.2003, p. 117.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1200/03

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(1 April 2003)

Subject: Use of funds under the Sport for the Disabled programme by the municipality of Pistoia

In September 2002, the monitoring committee of the Italian Ministry for Economic Affairs issued a report on the spending of EU funds.

The report reveals the alarming slowness and inefficiency with which EU funds are allocated to projects by some regional authorities.

The grave concerns about the inadequate use of European funds by local authorities have frequently been echoed by the Commission.

Bearing in mind that some local authorities, such as the municipality of Pistoia, urgently need to use European funds for the integration of disabled people through sport,

can the Commission state:

1. whether the municipality of Pistoia has submitted projects for the Sport for the Disabled programme?

2. whether the municipality of Pistoia has secured funding for these projects?

3. whether this funding has been used?

Joint answerto Written questions E-0860/03, E-0885/03, E-1191/03, E-1192/03,E-1193/03, E-1194/03, E-1195/03, E-1196/03, E-1197/03, E-1198/03,E-1199/03, E-1200/03, E-1201/03, E-1202/03 and E-1203/03given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(23 April 2003)

The Commission does not doubt the importance of integrating disabled persons through sport, but has no specific programme in this field.

As regards the possible part-financing by the European Regional Development Fund of the Italian cities listed by the Honourable Member, the Commission would invite her to refer to its replies to her Written Questions E-0834/03(1), E-1118/03(2), E-1119/03(3) to E-1124/03 and E-1125/03(4).

(1) OJ C 280 E, 21.11.2003, p. 96.

(2) See page 160.

(3) OJ C 268 E, 7.11.2003, p. 172.

(4) OJ C 280 E, 21.11.2003, p. 117.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2281/03

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(9 July 2003)

Subject: Town twinning

What will the Commission do to assist the acceding countries to participate in town twinning programmes, taking account of the lower per capita income in these countries?

Answer given by Ms Reding on behalf of the Commission

(4 August 2003)

Towns and municipalities in the candidate countries have already been taking part in the Commission's town twinning programme for several years, and the participation of these towns is increasing all the time. The simplified system of awarding subsidies, which is based on flat-rate amounts, is particularly conducive to the participation of small municipalities with limited financial and operational resources.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1597/03

by Ioannis Marínos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(8 May 2003)

Subject: Funding of the European Ombudsman Institute

Could the Commission say whether the European Ombudsman Institute (EOI), which is based in Innsbruck, Austria, is funded through any kind of Community Initiative? Does a representative of any of the Community bodies participate in its work, or have any sort of say in its running?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(26 June 2003)

According to the information in the Commission's possession, the institute in question has not been provided with Community funding.