WRITTEN QUESTION No. 890/98 by Patricia McKENNA to the Commission. Refusal by the Irish airline Ryanair to recognize trade unions (SUPPLEMENTARY ANSWER)
Date: 1998-03-11
Institutions: European Parliament, MCKENNA
Subjects: Ireland, air transport, civil proceedings, collective bargaining, freedom of association, freedom to provide services, ground staff, labour law, trade union, transport staff

C 31/6

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

5.2.1999

(1999/C 31/007)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0846/98

by Klaus Rehder (PSE) to the Commission

(26 March 1998)

Subject: Support by the Commission for European schools competitions

How does the Commission check applications from clubs, associations and private individuals for support

1.
from the Commission for European schools competitions?

In particular, how does it determine whether the applicant himself deserves support, has an educationally

2.
viable concept and is not misusing such competitions e.g. simply to collect addresses?

On what grounds did the Commission support

3.
the (cid:145)Verein zur F(cid:246)rderung kreativer Bezieh-ungen
europ(cid:228)ischer Kinder e.V(cid:146) (Association for the promotion of creative relations between European children) and
allow this association to advertize this support publicly?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission

(30 April 1998)

The Commission does not finance European schools competitions, with the exception of (cid:145)Europe at school(cid:146)
1.
activities, which have existed for more than 40 years and are funded by the Commission, Parliament and
European Cultural Foundation. Consequently, the Commission is not called upon to check applications for
support submitted by associations or private individuals. It sees Socrates, the European education programme, as
the main framework for transnational cooperation between pupils and schools, including school partnerships
under Action 1 of the Comenius chapter, but Socrates does not make provision for the funding of competitions.

As the Commission does not examine applications for financial support for competitions of this type, it

2.
cannot reply to this question.

Since the Commission does not finance European schools competitions, it was unable to give a positive
3.
response to an application for support for a European drawing competition received from the mentioned
association in January 1998. Instead, it drew attention to the many possibilities offered by the Socrates
programme. In particular, it made the point that school partnerships under Action 1 of Comenius allow pupils
to become involved in creative work on the subject of the diversity of the European situation, in a transnational
framework.

Nevertheless, the Commission welcomes initiatives such as a European drawing competition designed to foster
cross-border friendships among children.

(1999/C 31/008)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0890/98

by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Commission

(11 March 1998)

Subject: Refusal by the Irish airline Ryanair to recognize trade unions

Ryanair, the Irish airline, has been involved in a protracted dispute with its baggage handlers. The dispute arises
from the company(cid:146)s refusal to recognize or negotiate with the trade union representing these workers.
The company has also refused to go through the normal channels for resolving trade disputes, as it will not
participate in any arbitration procedure initiated by the Irish Labour Court.

Ryanair(cid:146)s management has been a major beneficiary of the liberalization of air transport within the EU.

Bearing in mind Articles 11 to 13 of the European Social Charter, which deals with the rights of workers to
freedom of association and collective bargaining, will the Commission investigate the issues surrounding the
Ryanair dispute and issue a report thereon? What other action does it propose to take on this dispute?

When will the Commission be publishing its promised assessment on the social impact of the liberalization of air
transport?