ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2249/98

by Jesús Cabezón Alonso (PSE) and Juan Colino Salamanca (PSE) to the Council

(28 July 1998)

Subject: Number of bovine animals eligible for premiums in Spain

Given that the Council of Ministers for Agriculture, meeting in Luxembourg from 22 to 25 June 1998, did not honour the commitment it had given at a previous meeting and confirm the planned increase of the number of bovine animals eligible for premiums in Spain, does this mean that Council will not now proceed with the said increase?

Does this failure to confirm the increase also mean that the Council of Ministers for Agriculture will reject the proposal made by the Commission in its proposal for a regulation on reform of the beef and veal sector?

Reply

(22 October 1998)

The Council noted, as part of an overall compromise reached at its meeting from 22 to 25 June 1998 covering both the 1998-1999 prices package and the revised arrangements for tobacco, olive oil and bananas, that there was, at that stage, no agreement to act on the Commission proposal to increase the regional ceiling set for Spain corresponding to the number of male bovines eligible for the special premium.

This question will obviously be tackled in the forthcoming discussions when the Commission proposal to reform the beef sector is examined.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2230/98

by Frédéric Striby (I-EDN) to the Commission

(16 July 1998)

Subject: Introduction of a European label to facilitate access to beaches by people with restricted mobility

In 1995 the Commission recognised, in connection with the Helios II programme, the valuable experience gained from the arrangements introduced in Hendaye, in France, to make the beach more accessible for persons with restricted mobility. The introduction of a European label indicating that a beach was accessible to such persons could be linked to the existing directives on the quality of bathing water (the blue flag system). Could the Commission consider this idea put forward by the "Handiplage" association in Jaxtou, France, to improve awareness at European level?

Joint answer

to Written Questions E-2179/98 and E-2230/98 given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(5 August 1998)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Members to its answer to Written Question P-2136/98 by Mrs Elmalan(1).

(1) See page 130.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3081/98

by Angela Billingham (PSE) to the Commission

(9 October 1998)

Subject: Investigation of the murder of Monsignor Juan Gerardi in Guatemala

What action is the European Commission taking to ensure that the Guatemalan authorities carry out an objective, balanced investigation and trial into the murder of Monsignor Juan Gerardi, Auxiliary Bishop of Guatemala and co-ordinator of the Archbishop's Human Rights Office?

His killing took place two days after he had launched the document, "Nunca Mas", a report which documents 55 021 cases of human rights abuses carried out during the civil war.

What steps will the European Commission take to urge the Guatemalan authorities to protect the physical integrity of all other Guatemalan citizens, especially those working in the field of human rights?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission

(29 October 1998)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question No 2191/98 by Mr Ford(1).

(1) OJ C 13, 18.1.1999, p. 152.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0834/98

by Francisca Sauquillo Pérez del Arco (PSE) to the Council

(31 March 1998)

Subject: Recognition of the Spanish qualification "ingeniero tecnico" (technical engineer) for the purposes of eligibility for A/LA category posts in the European civil service

The differences in the national education systems lead to cases of discrimination between nationals of the Member States as regards eligibility for A/LA category posts in the European civil service, a problem which affects Spanish technical engineers in particular.

Does the Council consider that the recognition of higher education qualifications should be harmonized so as to avoid discrimination as regards eligibility for A/LA posts in the European civil service?

Is the Council aware of the discrimination affecting Spanish technical engineers, who are excluded from taking part in competitions for these posts because their qualification is described as an "academic diploma", although in practice there is no difference in the vocational training involved?

Reply

(3 November 1998)

The Council manages its recruitment policy in accordance with the provisions of the Staff Regulations (in particular Article 27) which specify that the recruitment system must secure "for the institution the services of officials of the highest standard of ability, efficiency and integrity, ...". In doing so it avoids any discrimination and takes into account the different educational systems in the Member States.

The Council requires candidates in category A/LA competitions to hold a degree or equivalent diploma. Moreover, notices of competitions contain "a guide for candidates" which, in the section dealing with education, states that the level of studies completed by the candidate is checked and assessed by the selection board and, where necessary, by specialists in the education system of the candidate's country. The procedures ensure that all candidates from all Member States are treated in the same way with regard to participation in Council category A/LA competitions.

In the light of the provisions and criteria referred to above, the appointing authority (within the meaning of Article 2 of the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Communities) does not consider that the Spanish diploma "ingeniero técnico" is sufficient at present to qualify its holders to take part in Council competitions for A/LA posts.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2600/98

by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Council

(1 September 1998)

Subject: Violence and sexual harassment at the workplace

A recent report by the International Labour Organization reveals that threats, physical violence and sexual harassment are the main causes of insecurity among workers. The ILO report states that, in Europe, the percentage of women who are subjected to physical assault at the workplace is almost twice the corresponding figure for men, while, in the UK, the number of workers who receive threats is over 53 %. In particular, psychological harassment has assumed alarming proportions in the western world, especially in Austria, Denmark, the UK, Germany and Sweden. As regards sexual assault, France is the world leader, with 20 % of working women having been victims of sexual harassment. In what ways does the Council intend to intervene and what measures does it propose to take to deal with this serious problem?

Reply

(22 October 1998)

The Council would inform the Honourable Member that in March 1997 the Commission launched the second stage of consultation of the social partners on sexual harassment at the workplace. The Council has so far not yet received a formal proposal on the matter from the Commission.

In connection with the question put, the Council would also point out to the Honourable Member that on 9 July 1998 it received from the Commission a proposal for a Decision on a medium-term Community action programme on measures providing a Community-wide support to Member States' action relating to violence against children, young persons and women (the Daphne Programme) (2000-2004). That proposal will shortly be examined by the Council's bodies.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2424/98

by Concepció Ferrer (PPE) to the Commission

(30 July 1998)

Subject: Health protection programmes

The European Union is one of the major international contributors to health protection in developing countries. Of all the continents which benefit from the EU's assistance, Africa is the one which currently has the highest rate of infant mortality, which is mainly due to causes which could be avoided if an appropriate prevention programme were introduced.

Could the Commission say what health protection programmes are currently operating in Africa and how much funding has been allocated since 1994? Of this funding, what percentage is set aside for child health programmes?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission

(16 September 1998)

The Community is very conscious of the necessity to reduce infant mortality in Subsaharian Africa.

The communication from the Commission to the Council and the Parliament on Community and Members State's policy on cooperation with the developing countries in the field of health(1) emphasises the need to focus the support to health services in developing countries on the most essential and effective activities i.e. a minimum package of activities designed to meet the most serious and widespread problems. Mother and child health is certainly part of this minimum essential package.

Since 1994 to the end of 1997, some ECU 215 million has been committed under the European development fund (EDF) for support to primary health care projects in African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries. In addition to this amount, and for the same period, some ECU 330 million has been mobilised through counterpart funds under the Structural adjustment facility to secure priority expenditure of national health budgets of those ACP countries engaged in a macro-economic reform process.

An important share of those amounts (which cannot be identified precisely) should assist in improving child health. Among primary health care projects recently committed, it is worth to mention a ECU 9,5 million project to support improvement of immunization programmes in eight Sahelian countries.

For the 8th EDF, some 30 ACP countries have requested support to the health sector. Special attention will be given in the design of those new programmes to improvements of mother and child health.

On top of this the Community is currently cooperating with the World Bank, World health organisation (WHO) and other international donors and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in order to follow this important question.

(1) COM(94) 77 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1292/98

by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Commission

(29 April 1998)

Subject: Grant assistance to Coillte, the Irish semi-state forestry company

Last year the European Commission forwarded a report to the Council of Ministers and European Parliament on the EU financial aid scheme for forestry measures in Ireland. The report focussed on the application of Regulation No 2080/92, which relates to grants made under the European Agriculture Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF).

This regulation states that it is preferable that grants made under it should go to people who practise farming as their main occupation.

Ireland's national parliament, Dáil Eireann, was recently informed that the semi-state forestry company Coillte received substantial grants under this scheme. With these grants it could undertake planting on 6 125 hectares of land in 1993, 5 355 in 1994, 5 155 in 1995, 3 658 in 1996 and 2 773 last year.

There is no provision made in the regulation for financial assistance to semi-state companies.

Given that this matter was not covered in last year's Commission report, will the Commission ensure that it is now investigated? Does it believe that Ireland's use of these funds to aid Coillte could be in breach of Regulation No 2080/92?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(15 June 1998)

The Honourable Member states that Regulation (EEC) 2080/92 makes no provision for financial assistance to semi-state companies.

However Article 2 of the Regulation defines eligibility for "any natural or legal person undertaking afforestation of agricultural land". Therefore, private enterprises as well as public services are potential beneficiaries of this regulation.

Preference for afforestation by farmers is expressed by the higher income foregone premium levels for this group in relation to non farmers.

The Commission does not intend to investigate afforestation by semi-state companies under Regulation (EEC) 2080/92 as afforestation undertaken by these companies is not in breach of its provisions.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2117/98

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(10 July 1998)

Subject: Food shortages in Indonesia

Is the Commission aware of the likelihood of severe food shortages which are likely to occur in Indonesia in the new few weeks?

Would the Commission also outline the contingency plans which are in place to ensure we can address the problem as soon as is possible?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(14 September 1998)

The Commission shares the Honourable Member's concern about the situation in Indonesia, where a food shortage is a potential risk over the next few weeks.

The Commission, and in particular the European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO), is monitoring very closely the situation in Indonesia, which is currently suffering the impact of the forest fires and the drought provoked by "El Niño". Approximately ECU 3,27 million has already been committed for Indonesia since 1995. An exploratory mission took place in May 1998 to evaluate projects financed by the Commission and identify future measures.

In this context, the Commission has allocated humanitarian aid totalling ECU 1 million pursuant to a decision of 2 June 1998 to assist Indonesian victims of forest fires and drought. Appropriations will be allocated to different sectors of activity, including aid to cover a food shortage already identified in East Kalimantan province.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2607/98

by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Commission

(1 September 1998)

Subject: European Court of Justice

The judgment of the European Court of Justice in Case C-321/95P has been described as "an unfortunate situation detrimental to the rule of law" by the Belgian Environment Minister. It results in a situation whereby defenders of collective rights are barred from the outset from challenging the decisions of EU institutions, resulting in a serious vacuum in judicial protection in issues of collective interest.

Does the Commission accept that this ruling presents a serious challenge to democracy and subsidiarity in the European Union?

In Case C-321/95P, Greenpeace, plus other organisations and individuals tried to challenge the Commission's decision to continue Community financing of two oil-fired power stations, the construction of which had begun before an environmental impact assessment had taken place. The project was therefore in breach of Directive 85/337/EEC(1) and Community decision C(91) with regard to structural funds.

Is it not completley unacceptable that, in circumstances where collective rights are in question, this ruling allows the EU to act without groups and organisations having legal redress.

(1) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985, p. 40.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2810/98

by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Council

(18 September 1998)

Subject: Salary of the President of the ECB

According to press reports neither the President of the ECB, Mr Duisenberg, nor the other ECB staff know what their salaries will be.

1. Will the Council state the precise salaries of ECB staff?

2. If not, what are the reasons for withholding this information from EU citizens and for breaching the principle of transparency?

Reply

(9 November 1998)

Article 36 of the Statute of the ESCB and the ECB provides that the Governing Council of the ECB shall lay down the conditions of employment of the staff of the ECB.

Article 11.3 of this Statute provides furthermore that the terms of employment of the members of the Executive Board and in particular their salaries, shall be fixed by the Governing Council on a proposal of a Committee comprising three members appointed by the Governing Council and three members appointed by the Council of the European Union.

The Council is therefore not the competent body to answer the question put by the Honourable Member.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2050/98

by Rijk van Dam (I-EDN) to the Commission

(30 June 1998)

Subject: Extension of the "old for new" scheme

At the meeting of the Committee on Transport and Tourism in Brussels on 18 to 20 May 1998 a representative of the Commission said, in response to a question by the author, that Directorate-General VII had adopted internally a proposal for extending the "old for new" scheme for inland waterways set up pursuant to regulation 1101/89(1) and extended pursuant to regulation 844/94(2).If the Commission adopts this proposal the cooperation procedure pursuant to Article 189c of the Treaty can begin in September 1998 at the earliest. Given the amount of time this procedure takes, it is doubtful whether the "old for new" scheme can be extended on time, i.e. before 28 April 1999.

What action does the Commission think needs to be taken in the unlikely event of the "old for new" scheme for inland waterways not entering into force on or before 28 April 1999?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(27 July 1998)

The Commission is preparing a proposal to extend the "old for new" regime for a limited period of five years and to reduce gradually the old for new ratio to zero during this period. After that, this regulatory mechanism would function as a monitoring mechanism to be used only in the event of a serious disturbance in the inland waterway market.

The Commission trusts that the importance of the issue will ensure the close cooperation between the institutions that will make it possible to put the new legislation in place upon the expiry of the existing legislation.

(1) OJ L 116, 28.4.1989, p. 25.

(2) OJ L 98, 16.4.1994, p. 1.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2238/98

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(10 July 1998)

Subject: Fires in Greece and Sicily

Given the exceptional situation created in Greece and Sicily by the recent fires (at the beginning of July), will the Commission say:

1. Does it intend to provide extraordinary emergency aid to the affected areas, inter alia, on the basis of Regulation (EEC) 4256/88 which provides for compensation measures in the event of natural disasters?

2. How much progress has the Greek national land register made, and to what factors does it attribute the slow implementation of this scheme?

3. Did the relevant Greek authorities submit to it before 1 November (Article 4 of Regulation (EEC) 2158/92) their plans or programmes aimed at improving the protection of forests from fires, and which ones were submitted for the current year?

4. Has it funded reafforestation in Greece over the last five years and, if so, what area of land is involved and in which regions is it located?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(21 September 1998)

The Commission does not have additional funds with which to take action in the disaster areas. However, by reprogramming measures under the Community Support Framework, appropriations could be allocated to eligible projects on the basis of a proposal from the Greek authorities.

The Commission has already explained that starting work on the Greek national land register was delayed because the necessary legal framework and organisational structure (Ktimalogio AE) had to be put in place first.

From 1992 to 1997 inclusive, ECU 15,5 million of aid was granted to 66 Greek projects (costing a total of ECU 37,96 million) submitted under Council Regulation (EEC) 2158/92 of 23 July 1992 on protection of the Community's forests against fire. Funding in 1998 has so far comprised ECU 2,03 million for 11 projects costing ECU 4,06 million in total.

The budgetary authorities' constant reduction of the amount of money available for protecting Europe's forests (ECU 23,5 million in 1996, ECU 16 million in 1998) means that the need to fund fire-prevention projects far exceeds the Community's ability to contribute.

In the wake of natural disasters, reafforestation schemes have been part-financed by the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund over the past few years in Greece. However, the implementation report does not contain the kind of detailed information asked for in the Honourable Member's question.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2555/98

by Johanna Maij-Weggen (PPE) to the Council

(1 September 1998)

Subject: The deteriorating situation in West Papua (now Indonesian province of Irian Jaya)

Is the Council fully informed about the situation in Irian Jaya (Indonesia), where seven persons have been killed by Indonesian forces since 1 July 1998 and scores of seriously wounded people taken to local hospitals in Biak and Sorong in particular, for no other reason than having demonstrated in favour of more autonomy and greater independence for their region?

Will the Council ask the Indonesian government to clarify these acts of violence and report to the European Parliament?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2141/98

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Council

(14 July 1998)

Subject: International Criminal Court

Will the Council lend its support to moves to define as a war crime the recruiting and use of children below the age of 15 as soldiers in the current negotiations to establish a permanent International Criminal Court?

Reply

(22 October 1998)

1. The Council expresses its deep appreciation for the successful completion of the Rome Conference for the establishment of the International Criminal Court which is an achievement of historical dimensions sending a signal that the world can be made a safer and more just place to live in.

The European Union fully endorses the outcome of the Rome Conference as reflected in the statute adopted by an overwhelming majority of participating States on 17 July 1998, which lays the foundation for an effective and credible Court as an institution to fight impunity of the most heinous crimes and to deter their commission. The Council expresses the hope that the required number of sixty ratifications will be reached soon in order for the Court to become operative.

2. The definition of war crimes contained in the Statute includes a prohibition against the use of children in both international and internal armed conflict. Under this definition, conscripting or enlisting children under the age of 15 years into the national armed forces in the case of international armed conflict, or into armed forces or groups in the case of armed conflict not of an international character, using them to participate actively in hostilities constitutes a war crime in respect of which the Court has jurisdiction. This outcome is welcomed by the EU Member States, which had supported a clear and comprehensive prohibition of the use of children in armed conflict.

3. The question of the involvement of children in armed conflicts deserves a particularly important place on the international agenda. In this regard, the EU strongly supports the work of the UN Secretary General's Special Representative on Children in Armed Conflict. The EU calls upon all States to implement fully existing international standards and hopes that significant progress can be made on the optional protocol relating to the involvement of children in armed conflict.

4. More generally, ensuring full protection for children is one of the key objectives of the EU's human rights policy. The Convention on the Rights of the Child constitutes a strong and universal basis for such protection. The EU consistently promotes the implementation of the Convention.