WRITTEN QUESTION P-0734/00 by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission. Construction of an underground car park in Piazza Lorenzini in Rome.
Date: 2000-03-06
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Italy, environmental impact, impact study, local government, parking area

C 330 E/212

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

21.11.2000

(2000/C 330 E/246)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0732/00

by Francesco Turchi (UEN) to the Commission

(6 March 2000)

Subject: Objectivity of information provided by public broadcasters

Will the Commission say whether the broadcasts by RAI (Radio Televisione Italiana), particularly the
Telegiornale news programme (TG1) on the station Rai Uno, which fails to respect the rules of parity in
reporting the activities of political parties but gives certain parties special treatment, meet the requirements
of European legislation regarding the reporting and dissemination of news in the multimedia sector?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(31 March 2000)

Community legislation regarding the freedom of movement for services, and, in particular, the provisions
of Council Directive 89/552/EEC of 3 October 1989 on the coordination of certain provisions laid down
by Law, Regulation or Administrative Action in Member States concerning the pursuit of television
broadcasting activities (1), as amended by Directive 97/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 30 June 1997 (2), does not concern the issue of objectivity and impartiality of political
programmes broadcast by television stations.

(1) OJ L 298, 17.10.1989.
(2) OJ L 202, 30.7.1997.

(2000/C 330 E/247)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0734/00

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(6 March 2000)

Subject: Construction of an underground car park in Piazza Lorenzini in Rome

In the Portuense district of Rome, where a building recently collapsed, the local authorities have issued a
permit for the construction of 80 underground garages in Piazza Lorenzini.

The subsoil of the whole area consists of tufa caves and galleries and is particularly unstable, but despite
the collapse of the building it does not seem that the subsoil has been properly analysed or a hydro-
geological inspection carried out. Furthermore, there does not appear to be a need for parking spaces in
the area, since there are already sufficient numbers of them. The work will also mean cutting down some
tall trees several decades old in one of the few green spaces in the district. For all these reasons the
inhabitants are strongly opposed to the project and have spontaneously set up a number of committees.
The Rome city authorities have, moreover, not requested a prior assessment of the project from the XVth
administrative district, which is competent for that area.

In view of the above, can the Commission say:

1. whether it does not consider that the project is of the kind for which an environmental

impact
in accordance with the provisions of Directive 85/337/EEC (1) and

assessment
subsequent amendments;

is compulsory,

2. whether it does not consider it appropriate to contact the competent national authorities in order to
ascertain whether the project should be carried out, not least in view of the opposition from local
residents?

(1) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985, p. 40.

21.11.2000

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Official Journal of the European Communities

C 330 E/213

Answer given by Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m on behalf of the Commission

(14 March 2000)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to her Written Question E-0243/00 (1).

(1) See page 108.

(2000/C 330 E/248)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0764/00

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(13 March 2000)

Subject: Report by the European Round Table of Industrialists on state pensions

A working party of the European Round Table of Industrialists chaired by Carlo De Benedetti has recently
submitted to Commission President Romano Prodi its conclusions on the financing of state pensions in the
European Union. The members of the working party say that state pensions act as a brake on economic
growth in Europe. They advocate the system of private pension schemes as an alternative.

Can the Commission answer the following:

1. Who are the authors of the report of the European Round Table of Industrialists on the financing of

state pensions in the fifteen Member States of the European Union?

2. Who are the members of the European Round Table of Industrialists?

3. What are the final conclusions of the European Round Table of Industrialists on the financing of state

pensions in the fifteen Member States of the European Union (please quote verbatim)?

4. Does the Commission endorse the final conclusions of the European Round Table of Industrialists on

the financing of state pensions in the fifteen Member States of the European Union?

(a)

If so, is the Commission of the opinion that the existing state pensions in the fifteen Member
States of the EU will eventually have to be replaced, either wholly or in part, by private pension
schemes?

(b)

If not, does the Commission advocate maintaining the state pensions which currently exist in the
fifteen EU Member States?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(17 April 2000)

1. and 2.
Answers should therefore be obtained directly from the European round table of industrialists.

The Commission is not responsible for the report mentioned by the Honourable Member.

3.

The report is available from the European round table(cid:146)s web site (www.ert.be).

4.
The design and structure of pension systems are the prerogative of Member States. The Commission
set out its views on pension design and pension reform in its communication (cid:145)Towards a Europe for all
ages(cid:146) of 21 May 1999 (1). Here it was emphasised that the most effective way to counter the threat of
ageing to the sustainability of pension systems is to reverse the trend towards early retirement and to raise
the employment rate for all of working age. The crucial changes will be those that enable and motivate
workers to work longer and to opt for a later and more gradual exit from labour markets, since this will
lead to a reduction in pension costs, extra revenue and larger productive input to growth. That pension
schemes are employment friendly is more important than whether they are pre-funded or pay-as-you-go.