WRITTEN QUESTION E-3338/00 by Monica Frassoni (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Golf course in the commune of Settimo San Pietro, Cagliari (Italy).
Date: 2000-10-25
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing arrangements, Sardinia, application of EU law, drought, environmental impact, sports facilities

22.5.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 151 E/139

1. What are the Commission(cid:146)s views on this subject?

2.

In which Member States is a supplementary pension and health scheme already in operation?

3. Will the Commission submit proposals calling for the introduction of supplementary schemes,
especially where health insurance is concerned, so as to guarantee free access to essential health services
without discrimination of any kind?

Answer given by Ms Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(7 December 2000)

The organisation of social security schemes and the relative roles of basic and supplementary schemes are
the responsibility of
that
supplementary pension schemes exist in all Member States, although their scope varies considerably,
especially in terms of whether or not they are compulsory and whether or not they are linked to collective
agreements.

the Commission would like to point out

the Member States. However,

In the field of health insurance, the existence of supplementary schemes depends primarily on the quality
of basis cover.

Supplementary pension and health insurance schemes may fill certain gaps left by basic schemes, especially
where these provide only limited benefits, possibly as a result of budget-balancing measures targeting
health systems. However, it is difficult to organise supplementary schemes so as to provide optimum cover
for everyone. In the case of pensions, high administrative costs can exclude people on low incomes, and
inadequate provision for the transferability of rights can penalise the more mobile workers.

The characteristic features of supplementary health insurance schemes, especially the problems of risk
selection and exclusion of the most vulnerable individuals, should be examined in detail before a decision
is taken on the need for a legal framework at European level. This examination could take place as part of
the follow-up to the report on supplementary health insurance recently adopted by the European
Parliament.

In any event, the Commission would like to draw the Honourable Member(cid:146)s attention to the fact that it is
essentially the task of the Member States to ensure a high level of social protection, either through basic or
supplementary schemes.

(2001/C 151 E/157)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3338/00

by Monica Frassoni (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(25 October 2000)

Subject: Golf course in the commune of Settimo San Pietro, Cagliari (Italy)

On 9 September 2000 a golf course was opened in the commune of Settimo San Pietro (province of
Cagliari). The course is illuminated and has a roofed area, bunkers, and putting-greens. The project, which
also includes a plan to develop the site into an 18-hole course within two years, has received funding
under the Greater Cagliari Spatial Planning Agreement covering 68 % of the cost (the total cost of the
amenity is ITL 14,5 billion).

On 21 July 2000 Sardinia Region was officially declared a natural disaster area on account of the
persistent drought.

Although the estimated water consumption of the golf practice course is approximately 2 000 m3 a day,
equivalent to the daily consumption of a locality of 8 000 people, no environmental impact assessment (1)
has been carried out.

C 151 E/140

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

22.5.2001

1.

Is the Commission fully aware of the case described above?

Can it check whether the Community legislation on environmental

2.
infringed?

impact assessment has been

3. Will it suspend Community funding it Community law is found to have been broken?

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

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

(4 December 2000)

Golf courses as such are not covered by Community legislation on environmental
impact assessment
(Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and
private projects on the environment and Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997 (1) which has modified
Directive 85/337/EEC).

Therefore, in the light of the information given by the Honourable Member, no breach of Community
environmental law is apparent in this case.

(1) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997.

(2001/C 151 E/158)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3339/00

by Monica Frassoni (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(25 October 2000)

Subject: Tourism-oriented property development on the Teulada coast in Sardinia (Italy)

On 30 June 2000 Teulada Municipal Council (Cagliari, Italy) approved a series of site plans submitted by
the SITAS company to construct tourist facilities in Malfatano covering a total volume of over 143 000 m3
(hotels, a block of flats, private homes, services, and a golf course) (1).

The coast to be developed, extending from Capo Spartivento to the port of Teulada (communes of Teulada
and Domus de Maria),
intact. It is
protected by land use restrictions for conservation reasons (Legislative Decree No 490/1999) and has been
classed under Law 394/1991 as a marine conservation area.

is one of the few unspoiled stretches of Mediterranean coast still

The site plans will apparently also affect burnt woodlands on which building is prohibited because they are
still subject to the land use stipulations in force before the fire (National Law 47/1975 and the additional
National Law 428/1993).

Environmental organisations (Friends of the Earth and the (cid:145)Legal Action Group(cid:146)) have already drawn the
case to the attention of the national and local authorities. However, none of the tourist facilities referred to
above is being examined in a binding specific environmental impact assessment within the meaning of
Directive 85/337/EEC (2), supplemented and amended by Directive 97/11/EC (3), Annex II, point 12(c).

1.

Is the Commission fully aware of the case described above?

Can it check whether the above-mentioned development is in accordance with the legislation on

2.
environmental impact assessment?

3. Will it take appropriate steps in this matter?

Has the Union granted, or is it in the process of granting, other financial support, for instance under

4.
the Structural Funds, that might directly or indirectly benefit the site plans in question?

(1) Municipal council decisions Nos 47, 48, 49, 50, and 51 of 30 June 2000.
(2) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985, p. 40.
(3) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997, p. 5.