WRITTEN QUESTION E-2094/01

by Patricia McKenna (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(13 July 2001)

Subject: EU Food and Veterinary Office

It has been decided to relocate the EU Food and Veterinary Office to Grange, County Meath in Ireland. Has the Commission ever assessed Grange for its suitability as a

location for such an institution and could the Commission outline the results of this survey, or the reasons why it was not carried out as the case may be? Is the Commission, in particular, satisfied with the level of public transport available and the quality and adequacy of facilities to cater for staff of different European Member States and their families? Is the Commission of the view that Grange is a town?

Could the Commission explain how the choice of Grange came about and whether there were any alternative options proposed?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(5 September 2001)

The process for determining the seat of the Office for Veterinary and Plant Health Inspection and Control (subsequently renamed the Food and Veterinary Office) is set out in the Decision of 29 October 1993 by the representatives of the governments of the Member States on the seats of certain bodies and services of the European Communities(1). The first article of this Decision provides inter alia that:

(c) The Office for Veterinary and Plant Health Inspection and Control will have its seat in Ireland in a town to be determined by the Irish Government.

By letter of 27 March 1995 the Irish Government informed the Commission that the Office would be located at Grange, Dunsaney in Co Meath. On 10 December 1996 the Commission decided to arrange the transfer of the Office to a building to be provided by the Irish authorities at Grange. This decision was approved by the Dublin European Council of 13 and 14 December 1996. The Commission subsequently signed a contract with the representatives of the Irish Government for the lease purchase of the building at Grange.

It is clear from the Decision of 29 October 1993 that it is for the Irish Government alone to determine the seat of the Office. The Commission takes the view that the Decision of 29 October 1993 gives considerable discretion to the Irish Government and that it is not for the Commission to explain the Irish Government's choice of Grange.

The Commission considers that its responsibility is to ensure that the seat designated by the Irish Government and the facilities provided there, meet the conditions necessary for the smooth operation of the Office. In this context it does not see the literal interpretation of the word town as particularly significant.

The construction of the building began in 1999 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2001. The construction work is being carried out under the guidance and control of the Office of Public Works, which is responsible for managing the property assets of the Irish State. The work is monitored regularly by the Commission. It intends to occupy the building as soon as is practicable after the construction work has been completed to its satisfaction and the building has been formally accepted in accordance with the terms of the contract.

The Commission and the Irish administration have established a high level Joint Committee which discusses issues relating to the move of Commission staff from their present building in Dublin to Grange. The Commission's staff are represented in this Committee. It provides a forum for discussion of matters related to the building itself and other relevant issues. The aim is to find solutions for problems which arise in the period up to completion of the project. One issue before the Joint Committee is that of public transport. The current public transport service from Dublin to Grange is inadequate. Possible new arrangements, including the provision of a new shuttle service, are therefore being considered.

It is the Commission's intention to discharge its responsibility in relation to the Grange project so as to ensure that the buildings and associated services are provided in accordance with the terms of the contract and to ensure the smooth operation of the Office.

(1) OJ C 323, 30.11.1993.