ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1096/98 by John Cushnahan (PPE) to the Commission (30 March 1998)

Subject: Consumer protection in Ireland

The Consumers' Association of Ireland is a non-profit and non-government organization working since 1996 in the interests of Irish consumers. Is the Commission aware that this Association has been informed by DG XXIV that its application for funding is not being granted for 1998?

In the context of the Amsterdam Treaty, with its emphasis on strengthening consumer protection, what action does the Commission propose to take to ensure the promotion and representation of the rights of consumers in Ireland by an independent consumer organization as exists in all other EU Member States?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (27 April 1998)

The Commission can confirm that an application for funding for three linked projects was received from the Consumers' Association of Ireland (CAI) in the context of a general call for applications organised by the Commission.

The Commission received around 380 applications. Some 60 have been selected for financial support. It has not been possible to fund more projects given budgetary constraints.

The CAI application involved the funding of a magazine, 'Consumers Choice'. The Commission has supported this financially for a number of years but it was decided that it could not be an objective of Community consumer policy to financially support the same action on a continuing basis. To do so would risk developing a dependency on Community funding, which neither the Commission nor the budget authority wishes. The decision not to fund the CAI project has to be seen in this context. This reasoning for the Commission's decision was explained to the chief executive of the CAI at a recent meeting.

The Commission would point out, however, that two projects from consumer bodies in Ireland have been accepted. These corresponded more closely to the priorities identified for support in 1998.

Finally, the Commission plans to co-finance a major conference in Ireland this year concerning the new provisions in the Amsterdam Treaty on consumer policy.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0547/98 by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission (4 March 1998)

Subject: The central dairy in Rome

With reference to Mr Fischler's answer of 27 November 1997 to Question E-3408/97 ((OJ C 158, 25.5.1998, p. 103. )) tabled by myself, I should like to supply further information.

During the last few days the Italian press has published new information concerning the dubious management of the Rome central dairy, which has resulted in a cash deficit of more than 57 billion.

This fact, ascertained by the Court of Auditors, has led to proceedings being brought against the twenty administrators who succeeded one another frm 1978 until the firm was sold.

The deficit is the result of continual delays in the payment of debts owed by the distribution companies Cada and Sicedab, which sold the firm's milk. In order to remedy the situation, various attempts at a settlement have been made since 1978 between the central dairy, Cada and Sicedab concerning recognition of the debt and the repayment of the sums involved. The attempts included receivership, registered charges, extending the concession, transferring the customer portfolio and the fleet of vehicles and calls to tender. In the meantime, over the years, the status of the central dairy has changed, it became a special agency and was consequently privatized.

In view of the above, can the Commission say:

1. whether or not it can now express an opinion on the subject, in view of this additional information;

2. whether the handover of the Rome Central Dairy to Cirio may excessively strengthen a dominant position on the market, which harms free competition?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (3 April 1998)

The Commission is not yet in a position to offer an opinion on a case that requires complex technical study.

Other than the information on the accumulated debts of the Centrale del Latte di Roma set out in the company's annual reports, the Commission does not have information on any extra debt of LIT 57 billion mentioned by the Honourable Member.

As regards the strengthened market position of the buyer, the Commission would inform the Honourable Member that the national aid granted to cover the running costs of the Centrale del Latte di Roma and the compatibility of the Municipality of Rome's privatisation procedure with the Commission's established practice in this regard are currently being studied in particular.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1013/98 by Wilmya Zimmermann (PSE) to the Council (3 April 1998)

Subject: Problems concerning the freedom of movement in the EU for foreign children fostered by German families

Foreign foster children often do not have the same status as their foster parents. This is frequently the case with the children of asylum-seekers or foreign nationals' children who have not been issued with passports by their States of origin (including some EU Member States). This commonly causes difficulties with regard to the freedom of movement (when crossing national borders).

1. How is it planned to resolve this problem within the EU?

2. To what extent will the solution take account of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Hague Convention on adoption or the proposal for a European convention on the right to family life drawn up by the European Coordination for the Right of Foreign Nationals to Family Life (25, bld de Bonne Nouvelle, F-75002 Paris)?

Answer (16/17 June 1998)

1. On 30 November 1994 the Council adopted a Joint Action on the basis of Article K.3(2)(b) of the Treaty on European Union concerning travel facilities for school pupils from third countries resident in a Member State ((OJ L 327, 19.12.1994, p. 1. )). Under Article 1 of the Joint Action, a Member State may not require visas of school pupils who are third-country nationals if they are resident in another Member State and are travelling as members of a group of school pupils in the framework of a school excursion.

Under Article 2, Member States may not require a passport or ID card of such pupils on condition, among other things, that the teacher accompanying the group of pupils is able to present a list including recent photographs of all the pupils therein mentioned.

2. The Council has not received any other initiatives from the Commission or from a Member State, on the basis of Article K.3(2) of the Treaty on European Union, concerning the conditions under which children who are third-country nationals can move within the territory of the Member States.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0853/98 by Graham Mather (PPE) to the Commission (11 March 1998)

Subject: World Cup ticket allocation (France 98)

Repeated allegations have been made in the media and by Members of the European Parliament that the method used to allocate tickets for matches at the World Cup in France this summer is in breach of EU competition rules.

The Commission has stated (PE 264.470) that it has contacted five tour operators and the French organizing committee on this matter and will decide whether EU competition rules have been breached as soon as it receives their replies.

Given the considerable public interest in this matter, and given that any possible action by the Commission will have to be taken in the near future in order to be of any benefit to EU citizens, what timescale does the Commission envisage for these procedures, and will a formal public statement be made?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission (23 April 1998)

Following the response from the French organising committee (CFO) to the Commission's request for further information in February 1998, the Commission has taken the preliminary view that certain aspects of the CFO's ticket distribution arrangements discriminated against supporters living outside France, and that as such the CFO had abused its dominant position under Article 86 of the EC Treaty.

In order to redress, as far as was possible, the effects of this discriminatory behaviour the Commission's services asked the CFO to make available all remaining 160,000 unsold tickets exclusively to residents outside France. The CFO indicated on 23 March 1998 that it could not agree to such a request, but would instead offer these tickets to French and non-French residents alike on a non-discriminatory basis.

In view of the CFO's refusal to allocate the remaining tickets exclusively to residents outside France, Commissioner Van Miert recently announced that his services were preparing formal legal proceedings against the CFO in relation to tickets already sold under the above-mentioned discriminatory arrangements. While having regard to the necessary procedural requirements, the Commission intends to conduct these proceedings speedily.

While recognising the importance of taking into account issues of safety in the implementation of any system of ticket distribution for the World Cup, the Commission, at the present stage of its proceedings, does not consider that the ticket distribution system of the CFO can be justified for reasons of security.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0232/98 by Antonios Trakatellis (PPE) and Giorgos Dimitrakopoulos (PPE) to the Commission (13 February 1998)

Subject: Reduction in CAP expenditure and adoption of measures to modernize agriculture

In view of the comprehensive overhaul of the Common Agricultural Policy and the future challenges facing it in the EU described by the Commission in Agenda 2000, will the Commission answer the following questions:

1. How much was made available by the regional funds to cover CAP expenditure and for structural interventions in the field of agriculture and stockbreeding in Objective 1 regions for the 1992-1997 period, broken down by year and Member State?

2. What is the percentage reduction of EAGGF, Guarantee Section, spending and how much is this in ECU compared with the overall budgets for the 1992-1997 period, broken down by year and Member State?

3. What was the trend in EAGGF, Guidance Section, spending (percentage and amounts) compared to total EAGGF spending and compared with the total budgets for the 1992-1997 period, broken down by year and Member State?

4. What measures as regards modernization, structural intervention and programmes did the Community take in respect of the CAP and what sums were made available for the implementation thereof from the budgets of the 1992-1997 period, broken down by year and Member State?

5. What measures and programmes were adopted for young farmers and the introduction of new technologies in farm holdings and in the stockbreeding sector and what sums were allocated during the 1992-1997 period, broken down by year and Member State?

6. Is there any correlation in absolute terms (ECU) between the reduction of agricultural spending of the EAGGF, Guarantee Section, and the development of modernization and intervention measures for agriculture for the 1992-1997 period, broken down by year and Member State?

7. What specific measures will be taken to check the steady decline in agricultural incomes and what steps can be taken to ensure the development of a modern, competitive and self -sufficient agricultural sector in the EU, faced with the challenges of international competition and the forthcoming enlargement of the EU?

Supplementary answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (6 May 1998)

Because of the length of the answer, which includes a number of tables, the Commission is sending it direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0618/98 by Graham Mather (PPE) to the Commission (9 March 1998)

Subject: Directive 91/439 on driving licences

Under the provisions of Directive 91/439/EEC ((OJ L 237, 24.8.1991, p. 1. )) diabetes sufferers taking insulin and seeking to renew their licences in the UK for driving category C1 and D1 vehicles will not be able to, except in 'very exceptional circumstances'. Relevant interest groups maintain that this will severely damage the economic situation and quality of life of many individuals.

1. On what statistical evidence is this aspect of the legislation based?

2. What are the precise criteria for determining the exceptional circumstances referred to above?

3. Is the Commission considering more general derogations from the provisions of the Directive, subject to periodical medical examination?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (23 April 1998)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answers to written questions E-113/98 by Mrs Waddington and E-539/98 by Mr Nicholson ((OJ C 310, 9.10.1998, pp. 23 and 24. )) and oral question H-60/98 by Mrs McIntosh during question time at Parliament's February 1998 part-session ((Debates of the Parliament (February 1998). )).

The Commission is not considering any general derogations from the provisions of the Directive. As stated in the above-mentioned replies, Member States have to decide on what constitutes 'very exceptional cases' and on the frequency of the medical examination.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0168/98 by Gianni Tamino (V) to the Commission (28 January 1998)

Subject: Extension of the concession held by Autostrade Spa

On Friday 16 January the Italian Council of Ministers decided, despite opposition from the Minister for the Environment, to extend the validity of the relevant decree, making slight amendments to it and asking the Court of Auditors either to approve or to register its reservations concerning the extension of the concession, laid down in that decree, granted to the company Autostrade Spa until the year 2018 at present, by another twenty years, i.e. until 2038. Extension of the concession is linked to a number of projects, such as the re-routing of a mountain pass 32 kilometres long and the building of a third lane on the Bologna-Florence section of the Autostrada del Sole, and other projects, which by virtue of the decree can be carried out directly by Autostrade Spa, without the need to issue a Europe-wide call to tender. The Court of Auditors, as stated in the previous question on the subject, had rejected the idea of extending the concession, but the government decided to ignore this.

It emerges from interviews and statements in various newspapers that the Italian Minister for Public Works considers that it is unnecessary to send the relevant documents to Brussels, not least because, according to the Minister, Brussels has not requested specific documentation and moreover is not competent to deal with the matter.

Does the Commission consider that the decisions and general attitude of the Italian Government are compatible with European legislation in this field?

What in particular does the Commission think of the Italian Government's refusal to inform it about these issues and the doubts regarding its competence in this sphere?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (30 March 1998)

On 1 December 1997 the Commission sent a formal request to the Italian authorities for information on the concession granted to Autostrade SpA.

They have not yet replied to the questions contained in that letter. However, the Commission is in contact with the Italian authorities.

At the moment, there is no reason to suppose that the Italian Government wishes to sidestep the obligation to cooperate incumbent upon it under Article 5 of the EC Treaty or that it is unwilling to provide all the information required for an analysis of the situation. Similarly, no reservations have been expressed as to the Commission's competence.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0570/98 by Eryl McNally (PSE) to the Commission (4 March 1998)

Subject: Plutonium storage

It has been suggested by the Royal Society that the rising stocks of plutonium in Britain pose the threat not only of environmental damage but also that of being stolen for use in illicit nuclear weapons.

What extra difficulties does the Commission envisage, inn light of the above, for the European Union's responsibilities for nuclear safeguards and the monitoring of fissile material?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission (7 April 1998)

The Commission in the framework of its obligation under Chapter VII of the Euratom Treaty already invests substantial financial and human resources in safeguarding plants handling large amounts of plutonium to ensure that the material is not diverted from its intended use.

Furthermore, the joint research centre devotes a large part of its budget to safeguards in the implementation of the Community support programme to the International atomic energy agency. Plutonium management is among the highest priorities.

Provided that the appropriate resources (manpower and finance) required to keep track of the increasing amount of plutonium handled in installations in the Community are available, the Commission considers that it will be able to meet its safeguards objectives in the future.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0447/98 by Concepció Ferrer (PPE) to the Commission (27 February 1998)

Subject: Current situation in the onion sector

The reform of the COM in fruit and vegetables did not take into account the proposal submitted by the European Parliament calling for onions to be included in Annex II to the relevant regulation to enable it to benefit from withdrawal premiums.

Given the importance of the onion sector, its specific features, strong regional impact and the seasonal nature of production, which has a considerable influence on producers' incomes, does the Commission not consider that the possibility of extending Annex II should be examined, in order to prevent discrimination vis-à-vis other types of vegetables?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (31 March 1998)

The common organisation of the fruit and vegetable markets covers more than one hundred products, most of which are seasonal and of great regional importance.

Under Council Regulation (EEC) No 1035/72 of 18 May 1972 on the common organisation of the market in fruit and vegetables ((OJ L 118, 20.5.1972. )), some products were covered by an intervention scheme, but many did not qualify for support. The reform adopted by Council Regulation (EC) No 2200/96 of 28 October 1996 on the common organisation of the market in fruit and vegetables ((OJ L 297, 21.11.1996. )) provides for a reduction in the use of intervention by limiting the quantities which can be withdrawn from the market, and for a reduction in the intervention price.

Financial assistance is now also available through the operational funds and enables producer organisations to pay withdrawal compensation for products not listed in Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 2200/96.

The operational funds can also be used in the context of operational programmes to improve the marketing of products or to concentrate market supply, among other things.

Onion producer organisations can thus qualify for withdrawal compensation, which they could not do before the reform of the common organisation of the market in fruit and vegetables.

The Commission does not therefore plan to widen Annex II and considers that a solution to most of the problems in the sector can be found in the new instruments set up under the reform.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1519/98 by Thierry Jean-Pierre (I-EDN) to the Council (15 May 1998)

Subject: Purchase of D3 - Loan

The Bureau of the European Parliament has recently decided to ask Société Espace Léopold (SEL) - a legal shell safeguarding the interests of Belgian and French banks - to take out a loan of ECU 525 million and BF 7 billion on the European Parliament's behalf, to enable the latter to purchase the D3 building complex from SEL itself.

1. Given its responsibilities in this regard, has the Council authorized what could at best be described as a surprising arrangement to that effect?

2. Considering the capital involved and the unique nature of the operation envisaged by Parliament's authorities, does the Council not take the view that Community law on public contracts ought to be strictly adhered to and a notice of invitation to tender issued, thereby guaranteeing protection for Community taxpayers' interests, as well as compliance with the basic rules of competiton?

3. Is the Council aware of the inquiry by the Belgian legal authorities into acts of corruption linked to the construction of D3?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1259/98 and E-1519/98 (13/14 July 1998)

It emerged from the interinstitutional discussions mentioned by the Honourable Members that an indirect financing solution could be adopted.

Furthermore, it is for the European Parliament, as an autonomous administrative body, to work out, in compliance with the Treaties establishing the Communities, in particular their financial provisions, and the national legislations concerned, the solution which it considers most appropriate for the acquisition of its buildings.

The Council has not been informed of the inquiry referred to in point 3 of Question E-1519/98.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0635/98 by Jorge Hernandez Mollar (PPE) to the Commission (9 March 1998)

Subject: Conditions for upgrading the Spanish 'Ingeniero Técnico' engineering qualification in comparison with others

Is it the case that applications from holders of a 'Fachhochschuldiplom' are or have been accepted by the Commission for open competitions to fill category A/LA posts in the European civil service?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0635/98, E-0636/98, E-0637/98, E-0638/98, E-0639/98, E-0640/98, E-0641/98, E-0642/98, E-0643/98, E-0644/98, E-0645/98, E-0669/98, E-0670/98, E-0671/98, E-0672/98, E-0673/98, E-0674/98, E-0675/98, E-0676/98, E-0677/98, E-0678/98, E-0679/98, E-0724/98, E-0725/98, E-0726/98, E-0727/98 and E-0728/98 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (21 April 1998)

The Commission feels that most of the information requested by the Honourable Member is contained in its answers to written questions E-2749/97 by Ms Garcia Arias ((OJ C 82, 17.3.1998. )) and E-4186/97 by Ms Dührkop Dührkop ((OJ C 304, 2.10.1998, p. 15. )). The Commission would accordingly refer the Honourable Member to these answers, where it gave a full statement of its general approach to qualifications giving access to A/LA posts in the European public service and more specifically to qualifications held by Spanish technical engineers.

The correct translation of 'diploma universitario' into German is 'abgeschlossenes Hochschulstudium', and that is the term used on the notice of competition COM/A/1047 (97/C 145 A/02) published in the Official Journal. With regard to Competition COM/A/720 and COM/A/821, the Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the judgment given on 3 March 1994 by the Court of First Instance in Case T-82/92 Cortés Jiménez v Commission.

The Commission would draw the attention of the Honourable Member to the fact that the candidate at competition COM/A/104 has brought an action, registered at the Registry of the Court of First Instance under number T-299/97 on 1 December 1997. Accordingly the Commission cannot give an answer because the matter is sub judice.