WRITTEN QUESTION E-1751/00 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Location of a high-voltage underground electrical power line in a residential area.
Date: 2000-05-31
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Central Greece, EU environmental policy, Greece, electric cable, environmental impact, health risk

C 72 E/108

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.3.2001

In relation to hepatitis C virus (HCV) compensation, an information compiled by the European Haemo-
philia Consortium in 1999 is sent direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament(cid:146)s Secretariat.

(2001/C 72 E/134)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1745/00

by Mary Banotti (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(31 May 2000)

Subject: Transport

Now that the Rail Europ Card for pensioners which, hitherto, allowed them to travel at a reduced fare is
being abolished, what system does the Commission intend to set up to replace it with a view to providing
pensioners with the possibility of cheaper travel by rail in the future?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(13 July 2000)

The Commission wishes to underline that the Rail Europ Card the Honourable Member mentions was not
introduced by the Commission nor was the Commission involved in this scheme of reduced fares. The Rail
Europ Card was a special fare offered by rail operators. If these operators feel that this type of fare is no
longer commercially viable they are free to abolish it. The Commission wishes to recall in this context that
Council Directive 91/440/EEC on the development of the Community(cid:146)s railways (1) obliges Member States
to render their railway undertakings independent as regards, inter alia, fares. The Commission has no plans
to introduce any scheme that would give pensioners an entitlement to rail travel at reduced fares.

Member States may offer travel at reduced fares to senior citizens as long as the rules on public services,
where they apply, are respected. The Commission has no such powers.

(1) OJ L 237, 24.8.1991.

(2001/C 72 E/135)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1751/00

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(31 May 2000)

Subject: Location of a high-voltage underground electrical power line in a residential area

Residents of the municipality of Rio, who have appealed to the State Council, protest that a decision has
been taken to run the main South Greece-Pelopponese high-voltage electrical power line along the Phidias
road to the area of Kastellokampos, where two underground 175 000 volt cables will be placed at a depth
of only 1 metre.

The cables will pass very close to houses in a purely residential area and this is causing serious concerns
about the health of the residents, threatened by future carcinogens. In view of this, can the Commission:

1.

2.

say whether the necessary technical studies and environmental impact assessments have been carried
out and whether all the necessary permits have been granted for the work?

intervene to bring about a review of the decision to route the line through a residential area and a
search for an alternative solution that will not pose a threat to the health of the residents, and will in
addition safeguard the balance of the environment?

6.3.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 72 E/109

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

(19 July 2000)

The placing of underground electricity cables is not covered by Directive 85/337/EEC as amended by
Directive 97/11/EC (1).

However, in response to a complaint received recently the Commission will examine the environmental
impact of the whole DEI (public electricity company) project concerning energy transfer in the region.

(1) Council Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997 amending Directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment of the effects of

certain public and private projects on the environment (OJ L 73, 14.3.1997).

(2001/C 72 E/136)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1752/00

by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission

(31 May 2000)

Subject: Numbers of persons holding licences to drive motor vehicles

Will the Commission please state

1. The total number of persons currently holding full

licences to drive motor vehicles,

in each EU

Member State,

2. The number of new full licences to drive motor vehicles issued in each EU Member State, in the most

recent year for which statistics are available.

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(11 July 2000)

The Commission does not have a complete set of the relevant statistics, and indeed in some Member
States, where licences are or were issued locally, there are no complete statistics.

(2001/C 72 E/137)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1760/00

by Joaquim Miranda (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Quality of water for human consumption on the Azores

(31 May 2000)

It has been reported that the Commission has urged the Portuguese authorities to take steps to ensure
compliance with Community legislation on the quality of water destined for human consumption on the
Azores. It appears that the Commission acted in response to an investigation carried out on the islands
which revealed that the standards laid down in Council Directive 80/778/EEC (1) were not being met.

Can the Commission:

1. Confirm these reports?

2.

If so, can it:

(cid:129) provide information on the terms and number of warnings already issued to the Portuguese

authorities (national and regional) in this connection;

(cid:129) outline the content of the opinion forwarded to the Portuguese authorities;

(cid:129) say what further action it intends to take on the matter?

(1) OJ L 229, 30.8.1980, p. 11.