WRITTEN QUESTION E-0864/01 by Jules Maaten (ELDR) to the Commission. Introduction of the euro.
Date: 2001-03-22
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: bank, bank charges, bank deposit, euro, trading hours

13.11.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 318 E/137

depending on the committee and whether or not any implementing measures need to be taken; it would
be impossible to provide any reliable information on this point. Nonetheless, partial information for 2000
will be available in the annual report which the Commission will submit in June 2001, in accordance with
Council Decision 468/1999 of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing
powers conferred on the Commission (2). Delegates to meetings are appointed by Member States,
sometimes for a fixed period and sometimes depending on the subjects to be discussed. Consequently, it
is impossible to provide a meaningful and complete list of those attending. The availability of committee
documents is governed by Article 7 of the above Decision, the agreement between Parliament and the
Commission reached in implementation of
the latter, and, where these are not applicable, by the
framework agreement between the two institutions. The meetings are not public.

(1) OJ C 225, 8.8.2000.
(2) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999.

(2001/C 318 E/146)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0864/01

by Jules Maaten (ELDR) to the Commission

(22 March 2001)

Subject: Introduction of the euro

In the Netherlands consumers will be able to change their guilders free of charge at a bank for a transitional
period of three months after introduction of the euro. Businesses will have to pay, however. In the initial
changeover period businesses will act as banks. Does the Commission feel there is any justification for
implicitly passing on costs to businesses in this way?

Will costs be passed on to businesses in every Member State?

Can the Commission give a breakdown per Member State?

In the initial period of changeover to the euro businesses will need to have double the amount of money.
In the Netherlands guaranteeing the additional money required is a problem.

Can the Commission indicate whether this is a problem in every Member State, and how does it intend to
remedy it?

On 5 March Wim Duisenberg, President of the European Central Bank, told Parliament(cid:146)s Committee on
Economic and Monetary Affairs that he had no complaints about the cooperation of the private banks in
the introduction of the euro on 1 January 2002. Does the Commission share this satisfaction with the
banks(cid:146) cooperation, in particular with regard to their responsiveness to small and medium-sized businesses
(for example, with regard to extended opening hours on 1 January and the costs to businesses changing
the old currency)?

If a customer wants to change banks, for example because he expects another bank to provide a better
service, one major obstacle is that he is given an entirely new account number. In the Commission(cid:146)s
opinion, are there any statutory provisions preventing consumers or businesses taking their account
numbers with them when they change banks?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(17 May 2001)

In its Recommendation of 11 October 2000 (1), the Commission recommended that banks exchange notes
and coins free of charge and without any limitation for their customers (subject only to a period of notice
for large amounts), whether natural or legal persons.

The Commission does not yet have overall data on any handling costs that banks might charge for the
physical exchange of large amounts in notes by legal persons. Some Member States, such as Ireland, have
negotiated forms of compensation for the costs borne by banks in return for their not charging handling
fees to businesses.

C 318 E/138

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

13.11.2001

It seems that insurance firms will not generally charge a supplement, either because the amount insured is
already sufficient to cover the increase in cash held (common in the case of large retailers) or because the
costs of changing the contract are greater than the additional risk borne (common in the case of small
traders).

The Commission finds that, on the whole, the banks have followed its recommendations, whether on
charges for exchange transactions or on an early changeover of bank accounts and non-cash means of
payment to the euro. In its Communication of 3 April 2001 (2), it urged that bank opening hours be
extended and branches open to all or some customers on 1 January 2002.

Bank account numbers usually include a component identifying the bank and/or branch and therefore
cannot be retained if a customer changes banks.

(1) OJ C 303, 24.10.2000.
(2) COM(2001) 190 final.

(2001/C 318 E/147)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0867/01

by John McCartin (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(22 March 2001)

Subject: Radon gas levels in schools and homes in Ireland

Is the Commission aware of a recent study carried out by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland
which shows that one-quarter of Irish schools and 91 000 homes throughout Ireland have high levels of
radon gas which put the safety of the public at risk.

Can the Commission state whether the failure of the Irish Government to take effective action to remedy
this hazard is in breach of European environmental legislation?

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

(15 May 2001)

radon gas
The Radiological Protection Institute of
concentrations in homes and schools, respectively completed in 1999 and to be completed in 2001. The
study demonstrates that in 8,8 % of Irish homes the reference level of 200 Becquerel per cubic meter
(Bqm-3) is exceeded, while this level would be exceeded in one or more classrooms for 23 % of Irish
schools.

Ireland conducted a comprehensive survey of

The Irish Government is thus fully in line with the Commission Recommendation 90/143/Euratom of
In this
21 February 1990, on the protection of
Recommendation, a reference level of 400 Bqm-3 is proposed for the consideration of single but effective
measures to reduce the radon level, and a design level of 200 Bqm-3 for future constructions.

indoor exposure to radon (1).

the public against

Member States are not required to take remedial action; this is the responsibility of the individual
household. Ireland nevertheless initiated a scheme of grants to assist householders with the cost of
remedying radon problems in their dwellings. It is hoped that this financial incentive to householders to
take remedial action will significantly improve the situation.

(1) OJ L 80, 27.3.1990.