WRITTEN QUESTION E-2560/01 by Luis Berenguer Fuster (PSE) to the Commission. Electricity shortages in Spain — market regulation and consequences for consumers.
Date: 2001-09-20
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Spain, approximation of laws, electrical energy, electricity supply, energy grid, energy transport, liberalisation of the market

16.5.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 115 E/119

In a recent ruling handed down in Case C-157/99 the Luxembourg-based Court of Justice stated that
Community citizens were entitled to go to other countries for treatment if they would have to wait an
inordinately long time to be treated in their own countries.

The above measure will have a considerable impact on all European countries, and its implications will
therefore need to be discussed with the Health Ministers of the other Member States.

What is the Commission’s attitude to this matter, and what proposals is it drawing up, or will it draw up,
to respond to the possibility created by the Court ruling?

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-2559/01 and E-2586/01
given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(29 October 2001)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to her Written Question E-2415/00 (1).
The Commission is well aware of the problem of waiting lists for patients in several Member States. The
new public health programme is currently being discussed by the Parliament and the Council. Once
adopted, it will provide an opportunity to monitor and analyse developments in Member States’ health
systems.

The situation as regards actions to be undertaken in the context of Article 152 (ex Article 129) of the EC
Treaty remains unchanged. Community actions in the field of public health shall
the
responsibility of the Member States for the organisation and delivery of health services and medical care.

fully respect

the ramifications of

All
reimbursement of cross-border health care costs are at present being examined by the Commission.

the case law gradually built up by the Court of

Justice concerning the

(1) OJ C 89 E, 20.3.2001.

(2002/C 115 E/122)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2560/01

by Luis Berenguer Fuster (PSE) to the Commission

(20 September 2001)

Subject: Electricity shortages in Spain 8 market regulation and consequences for consumers

Despite the over-optimistic statements made by the Spanish Government on the liberalisation of the
electricity market, that market reveals serious shortcomings and monopolies still remain in the transport
and distribution sectors.

These shortcomings have recently led to power cuts which have left consumers in the dark for hours in
many parts of Spain, particularly the Community of Valencia.

The managing director of Iberdrola recently said that unless charges were raised, there would be more cuts.

Given that Article 82(b) of the Treaty lays down that one form of abuse of a dominant position consists in
limiting production, markets or
to the prejudice of consumers, does the
Commission see signs of abusive behaviour in the Spanish electricity sector, or does it take the view that
these shortcomings are simply the consequence of poor regulation?

technical development

C 115 E/120

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

16.5.2002

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(9 November 2001)

Opening up the market has not noticeably changed the situation regarding electricity transport and
distribution structures in the Union which existed prior to Parliament and Council Directive 96/92/EC of
19 December 1996 concerning common rules for the internal market in electricity (1).

Interruptions in electricity supply are related to the general problem of continuity of supply, which is part
of the concept of universal service. The Commission takes the view that, even after the entry into force of
the electricity Directive,
legislation by national administrations would appear to be the best way of
ensuring continuity of supply at this stage. However, it remains alert to this type of problem and has
included in its new proposal on the completion of the internal market in electricity and gas (2) additional
provisions aimed at providing further guarantees as to security of supply.

At this stage, the Commission does not have any information that would lead it to conclude that the
interruptions in the continuity of the supply of electricity in certain regions of Spain are due to abusive
practices by one or more players on the Spanish electricity market.

(1) OJ L 27, 30.1.1997.
(2) OJ C 240 E, 28.8.2001.

(2002/C 115 E/123)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2564/01

by Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(21 September 2001)

Subject: European riot police force

Following the events at the Genoa Summit, the German Interior Minister, Otto Schily, and his Italian
counterpart, Claudio Scaiola, proposed setting up a European riot police force (along the lines of the
European border police) and a database of protesters who support the use of violence. The same idea was
recently endorsed by the German Chancellor, Mr Schröder, who proposed setting up an operational force
with executive powers within Europol. These proposals have created confusion and brought forth negative
reactions in all the Member States.

On 8 June 2001, at the Europol conference held in The Hague, Commissioner Vitorino expressed the view
that Europe and the Member States should begin to think in more practical detail about the role of
Europol and Eurojust and relations between the two, since Europol has no executive powers and is not
subject to judicial control.

Does the Commission intend to take this idea on board as part of overall Community policy to combat
terrorism and crime by taking practical measures to set up a special European riot police force? Or does it
believe, on the contrary, that the measures it intends taking to develop direct operational cooperation
between the Member States’ police authorities and strengthen Europol’s powers are sufficient to fight
increasing lawlessness and violence?

In the Commission’s view, how can police action be strengthened at European level without affecting civil
rights?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(3 December 2001)

In relation to the question regarding the creation of a ‘European riot police force’, the Honourable Member
is kindly requested to refer to the response given by the Commission to Written Question E-2476/01 by
Mrs Karamanou (1).