WRITTEN QUESTION E-3524/02

by Antonios Trakatellis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(10 December 2002)

Subject: Substandard building work in Greece accidents in Kifisos and on the bridge at the Paiania intersection

The findings of experts investigating the recent accidents in the Kifisos area and the collapse of the bridge at the Paiania intersection, together with the faulty work on the Egnatia highway, have revealed that the work was begun without either the construction companies or the Greek government engineers who were supervising the works having carried out the required studies which were of such fundamental importance.

In view of the cases above and many more some 20 projects involving substandard work, will the Commission say:

1. What sanctions have been imposed by the Commission against those responsible for the above accidents, which were due to faulty work detected in projects under the 2nd Community Support Framework, and what sanctions have been imposed on the contractors for the above works?

2. Does the Commission have a detailed list of the building projects carried out in Greece with Community funds in which substandard work has been detected?

3. How could the Commission ensure the quality of public works jointly funded by the EU at the stage before construction?

4. By what other method or what other means could the Commission act to ensure transparency, the reliability of the system for executing the works and the avoidance of substandard work in Greece, the consequence of which may be to endanger the lives of members of the public?

5. Has the special committee for monitoring Community projects (ESPEL) submitted reports which have identified substandard work in Greece and, if so, have the relevant sanctions been imposed?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(27 January 2003)

1. The matter of imposing sanctions in the light of accidents or other events is a responsibility which lies in the hands of the national authorities. The Commission is not informed of such matters.

2. The detailed list of construction projects carried out in Greece and cofinanced by Community funds, for which substandard work has been detected, is established and held by the competent services of the Member State. The European Anti Fraud Office (OLAF) is kept informed by the national authorities about matters relating to the misuse of Community funds including construction projects where serious faults have been detected and which cannot be repaired without partially or totally reconstructing the project (so-called category iii projects).

3. As provided for in the third Community Support Framework (2000-2006), the Greek authorities prepared an action plan in 2002 for the next steps towards improving public works, which provides also for a radical reform to improve the design system. This reform should further contribute to the improvement of the quality of public works, when implemented. The Commission is preparing its comments on these proposals and will forward it shortly to the Greek government.

An enhanced national system to control the quality of public works executed or under way should also be an important part of this effort. The Commission wrote to the Greek authorities in December 2002 asking to be informed about the new Ministerial Decision which is being prepared to govern quality control procedures.

4. Although the primary responsibility lies with the national authorities, the Commission services maintain a system of individual on-the-spot checks on projects cofinanced by Community funds in Greece. The objective is to ensure that Community resources are used correctly in accordance with the regulation in force.

5. The Quality Control Consultant (ESPEL) submits its reports to the competent Greek authorities. In the light of the reports of ESPEL, it is the role of these authorities to decide the measures that are necessary, including sanctions, where this is required by legislation in force. The European Anti Fraud Office is regularly informed by the Greek authorities on ESPEL findings for category iii projects and their follow-up.