WRITTEN QUESTION P-1661/00 by Christopher Heaton-Harris (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Euro 2000 football tournament.
Date: 2000-05-18
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European social policy, competence of the Member States, competence of the institution, organisation of professions, public safety, sporting event

C 72 E/94

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.3.2001

(2001/C 72 E/112)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1660/00

by Patricia McKenna (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

Subject: Regeneration of Ballymun, Dublin, Ireland

(18 May 2000)

The redevelopment of one of the most deprived areas of Dublin, Ballymun, involves the demolition of
hundreds of buildings and the relocation of 10 000 residents. The redevelopment covers an area of about
280 acres, and some of the projects are part-funded by the URBAN initiative. The regeneration scheme
involves the development of a business and technology park on 100 acres of land.

Since, pursuant to Council Directive 85/337/EEC (1) and subsequent amendments (97/11/EC) (2), any new
developments in existing urban areas covering over 2 hectares must be assessed through an EIA, does the
Commission take the view that the overall redevelopment of Ballymun should be assessed through an EIA?

Does it intend to bring legal proceedings against Ballymun Regeneration Ltd. for failing to tender and have
an EIA carried out of the whole development at Ballymun?

(1) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985, p. 40.
(2) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997, p. 5.

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

(9 June 2000)

In 1999, the Commission received several complaints concerning a claimed failure to submit the entire
redevelopment of Ballymun to environmental
impact assessment pursuant to Directive 85/337/EEC of
27 June 1985 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment,
as modified by Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997. The Commission made enquiries of the Irish
authorities in 1999 and has since received a response. The Irish authorities contend that the plan for the
overall redevelopment does not come within the scope of Directive 85/337/EEC, pointing out that the
redevelopment is being carried out by way of a series of separate projects, some but not all of which have
been made subject to environmental impact assessment pursuant to this Directive. The Commission has
referred the information in this response to complainants, and is currently considering the extensive
comments and observations received. The Commission expects to make a decision on the matter in the
coming months. Where legal action is decided following a complaint, it relates to the Member State and
not to a legal entity such as the company cited by the Honourable Member.

(2001/C 72 E/113)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1661/00

by Christopher Heaton-Harris (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Euro 2000 football tournament

(18 May 2000)

Can the Commission confirm whether it has been contacted by any competent authority involved in the
organisation of Euro 2000 expressing concern about the safety of the stadium in Charleroi for the match
between England and Germany on 17 June?

Not only have experts in stadium safety voiced grave reservations about the size and capability of the
stadium to cope with emergencies, but the Head of the Belgian Police Federation has also said that the
narrow streets around the stadium will severely hamper crowd control.

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Official Journal of the European Communities

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Whilst the responsibility rests quite rightly with the Belgian authorities, football supporters from many
other Member States will be attending; would the Commissioner with special responsibilities for Sport
therefore agree, given the potential for spectator violence and in order to put safety first, that the match
should be moved to the more suitable location of the King Baudoin Stadium in Brussels? If so, could the
Commission raise its concerns with UEFA while there is still time to change the arrangements for the
match?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(16 June 2000)

The Commission would like to inform the Honorable Member that it has not been contacted by any
competent authority expressing concern about the safety of the stadium in Charleroi for the match
between England and Germany.

The responsibility for ensuring adequate safety to spectators and players during the matches held during
EURO 2000 lies with the national authorities and football associations. On the basis of the information
available, the Commission has good reasons to believe that these authorities and associations will be able
to ensure adequate safety. In this connection it should be mentioned that according to the Union of
European football associations (UEFA) the Charleroi stadium is safe and in conformity with UEFA rules.

The Commission therefore does not see the need to ask the organisers to have the match played at a
different location.

(2001/C 72 E/114)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1666/00

by Mario Mauro (PPE-DE) to the Council

(5 June 2000)

Subject: Violation of children(cid:146)s rights

On 3 May 2000 the Presidency of the Council of Ministers (Social Affairs (cid:129) Committee for Minors) made
arrangements for the transfer to Switzerland of Izabayo Fidencie, a Ruandan child who had been found on
Italian territory without the appropriate documents living with Nshimiyimana Juvenal, who claimed to be
the girl(cid:146)s father, despite documentary evidence establishing beyond doubt that he was not acting in good
faith.

The appeal lodged with the Lazio Regional Administrative Court against the decision taken by the Social
Affairs department of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers in this dramatic case without carefully
examining the evidence provided by the Ruandan Government, which demonstrates that Nshimiyimana
Juvenal was not telling the truth, shows that the administrative provision adopted was of a superficial
nature.

The European Union has always claimed to be committed to respect for human rights and fundamental
freedoms, in particular affirming its commitment to fundamental social rights and the Convention for the
Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

Furthermore, Article 3 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child states (cid:145)in all actions
concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law,
administrative authorities or legislative bodies, the best interests of the child shall be a primary considera-
tion(cid:146) and declares the child(cid:146)s right to a family, not the right of anyone to have a child.

1. What steps does the Council of Ministers of the European Union intend to take to ensure that Italy
ascertains who Izabayo Fidencie(cid:146)s parents actually are and entrusts her to the care of her legal or natural
parents?

2. What steps does the Council of Ministers of the European Union intend to take to ensure that in the
light of the new evidence produced and pending the judgement of the Lazio Regional Administrative
Court, Italy suspends the transfer to Switzerland of Izabayo Fidencie?