WRITTEN QUESTION P-3311/00 by Adriana Poli Bortone (UEN) to the Commission. Alitalia air fares.
Date: 2000-10-18
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Apulia, air freight rate, application of EU law, consumer protection

22.5.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 151 E/131

The whole area, including the (cid:145)gravina(cid:146), is subject to environmental restrictions under the decree issued on
18 September 1996 by the Ministry for Environmental and Cultural Assets (within the meaning of the
(cid:145)Galasso Law(cid:146)).

Law No 56/1980 enacted by the Apulia Region prohibits any building within 200 metres of a (cid:145)gravina(cid:146).

In document 3347 of 14 May 1996, the Apulia Region (Environmental Directorate (cid:129) Ecology section (cid:129)
Office for nature reserves and parks) stated that siting a new building with a surface area of 490 m2 within
the natural environment of the (cid:145)gravina(cid:146) would have an immeasurable negative impact on the landscape,
countryside, soil and surface water.

The municipality of Villa Castelli, using MOP Community funding (measures 7.3.9 and 7.3.10), has started
building work on a 693 m2 multipurpose centre within the area of the (cid:145)gravina(cid:146) in violation of environ-
mental regulations laid down by national and regional law.

Is it admissible to take advantage of MOP funding to carry out building works in violation of laws enacted
to safeguard the countryside and natural heritage?

What action does the Commission intend to take once the facts have been verified through an on-the-spot
inspection by its officials?

Supplementary answer
given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(13 December 2000)

The Commission can inform the Honourable Member that the multi-purpose centre in Villa Castelli is not
eligible under the Structural Funds because the final beneficiary did not submit the project by the deadline
for the decision adopting the Operational Programme for the region of Apulia for 1994-1999.

(2001/C 151 E/148)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3311/00

by Adriana Poli Bortone (UEN) to the Commission

(18 October 2000)

Subject: Alitalia air fares

Regulation EEC 2409/92 (1) on air fares provides for the gradual liberalisation of tariffs complemented
(cid:145)with adequate safeguards for the interests of consumers and industry(cid:146).

On its Brindisi-Milan service, Alitalia applies an exorbitant fare of ITL 800 000 which does not help people
living in Objective 1 areas such as Apulia.

Although Article 6(1)(a) of the Regulation allows a Member State (cid:145)to withdraw a basic fare which (cid:133) is
excessively high to the disadvantage of users(cid:146), the Italian Government has not yet proposed to intervene
despite user protests calling on it to do so. Article 8 of the regulation stipulates that (cid:145)at least once a year
the Commission shall consult on air fares and related matters with representatives of air transport user
organisations in the Community(cid:146).

Has the Commission already compiled the information required under Article 8 or does it intend to
examine the exorbitant fares applied by Alitalia with a view to taking the matter up with the Italian
Government so that it may at last contribute to achieving an internal market by fixing equitable air fares
within the spirit of the Directive and the Community regulation?

(1) OJ L 240, 24.8.1992, p. 15.

C 151 E/132

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

22.5.2001

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(16 November 2000)

A Commission review of the routes mentioned shows no evidence that these fares are excessive when
taken in relation to their corresponding costs. There does not therefore appear to be in this instance any
infringement of Council Regulation (EEC) no 2409/92 of 23 July 1992 on fares and rates for air services.

The Commission monitors the development of air fares regularly and the general trend shows signs of
decrease in the Community area as stated in the communication (cid:145)The European airline industry from single
market to world-wide challenges(cid:146) (1).

(1) COM(1999) 182 final.

(2001/C 151 E/149)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3313/00

by Gianfranco Fini (UEN) to the Commission

(18 October 2000)

Subject: Agenda for the Biarritz summit and the paedophile crisis

The need to bring European citizens closer to the institutions makes it essential for the authorities to tackle
those problems that affect people most directly. While the public are, of course, interested in the reform of
the institutions and the future enlargement of the Union, the authorities should also focus on day-to-day
issues that are of concern to the public. The unfortunate issue of paedophilia, for example, has now
assumed worrying proportions. The discovery of paedophile and pornographic sites on the Internet, some
of which use the words (cid:145)European Union(cid:146) in their titles, should prompt the Heads of State and Government
meeting in Biarritz to take note of the spread of this problem and finally to put in place regulations
governing the use of telematics equipment.

Does the Commission not consider it necessary to draw the attention of the Heads of State or Government
to:

1. The seriousness of the constant increase in paedophile Internet sites, the contents of which contravene

the legislation of the Member States,

2. The need for regulations to prevent free access to such sites,

3. The need for regulations prohibiting such sites from using in their titles the names of persons without
their knowledge or the names of institutions (Commission, European Union, etc.) as an underhand
way of attracting users who do not normally visit such sites?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(30 November 2000)

The Commission has long been concerned about the diffusion of paedophile images on the Internet, in
particular child pornography. In order to fight against it, it proposed a multiannual Community action
plan on promoting safer use of
the Internet by combating illegal and harmful content on global
networks (1). It was adopted by the Council and the Parliament on 25 January 1999 (2). The action plan
provides support in four areas: a European network of hotlines, self-regulation by industry, filtering and
rating and awareness. Furthermore Member States are also committed to provide an appropriate frame-
work under Council Recommendation 98/560/EC of 24 September 1998 on the development of the
competitiveness of the European audiovisual and information services industry by promoting national
frameworks aimed at achieving a comparable and effective level of protection of minors and human
dignity (3).