WRITTEN QUESTION E-1455/02 by Wolfgang Ilgenfritz (NI) to the Commission. Special arrangements.
Date: 2002-05-23
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Austria, France, Italy, Netherlands, State aid, commercial vehicle, hydrocarbon, road transport, tax system, tradeable emission permit

C 277 E/208

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

14.11.2002

(2002/C 277 E/228)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1452/02

by Ria Oomen-Ruijten (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(23 May 2002)

Subject: Whiplash injury

As the Commission stated in its answer E-0310/02 (1) of 21 March 2002, whiplash injury is a major car
safety issue. The Commission goes on to say,
‘the Commission decided, as part of its 4th Framework
Programme on Research and Technological Development, to launch research initiatives […] with a view to
introducing new designs of seat backs and head restraints systems’.

In the meantime the fifth five-year framework programme has been completed. When can we expect
results, practical measures and new rules designed to prevent whiplash injury?

(1) OJ C 205 E, 29.8.2002, p. 111.

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(26 June 2002)

In its answer dated 21 March 2002,
the
Community legislation concerning head restraint systems has already been amended in 1997 to take into
account the main findings of TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research) research
work. The Commission also underlined the fact that further improvements were necessary with a view to
tackling the prevention of whiplash injuries more efficiently.

the Commission informed the Honourable Member that

Research and technology development programmes focussing on the whiplash issue are being performed
all over the world and also within the 4th and the 5th Framework Programmes which include the
following two projects:

? Whiplash I: Reduction of neck injuries and their societal costs in rear end collisions (project completed

in October 2000).

? Whiplash II: Development of new design and test methods for whiplash protection in vehicle collision

(project started in March 2001).

The overall objective of these projects is to contribute to the realisation of a new generation of vehicles
which offer better protection against neck injuries by improving the design of the complete seat-head
restraint system but also to the development of a new approach to the global restraint system issue.

The results obtained up to now have a high potential and are very promising. However, some important
issues still remain to be completely understood, such as the mechanisms that cause the injuries to the neck.
it is presently difficult to forecast the outcome of the research work in progress and the
Therefore,
resultant introduction of new regulations.

(2002/C 277 E/229)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1455/02

by Wolfgang Ilgenfritz (NI) to the Commission

(23 May 2002)

Subject: Special arrangements

France, Italy and the Netherlands benefit from special arrangements as regards excise duty on mineral oils.

1. What was the basis on which the special arrangements were granted?

2. What scope is there for Austria to extend the Eco-point system?

14.11.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 277 E/209

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(4 July 2002)

The State aid measures benefiting road transport operators in Belgium, France and Italy have been

1.
assessed and authorised by the Council in accordance with Article 88(2), third subparagraph.

2.
The current ecopoints system expires on 31 December 2003. The Laeken European Council meeting
of 14 and 15 December 2001 called for (1) an extension of the ecopoints system as an interim solution
pending the adoption of the framework proposal on infrastructure charging. Accordingly, on 20 December
2001 the Commission submitted to the European Parliament and the Council a proposal for a Regulation
establishing an ecopoints system applicable to heavy goods vehicles travelling through Austria for the year
2004 (2). The European Parliament and the Council have begun their examination of this proposal.

(1) Point 58 of the conclusions.
(2) OJ C 103, 30.4.2002.

(2002/C 277 E/230)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1459/02

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(21 May 2002)

Subject: Delays and lack of concrete planning for the liberalisation of the electricity market in Greece

Under Law 2773/99, which transposed Community Directive 96/92 (1), the Greek electricity market has
officially been liberalised since 19 February 2001 and the Ministry for Development has to date granted
prospective investors seven operating licences for natural gas thermo-electric plants.

However, it is completely impossible for these licences to be used for the following reasons:

(a) Law 2773/99 establishes discriminatory treatment in favour of the Public Electricity Company (DEI)
by giving it exclusive use of domestic fuel (lignite); in addition, the 65 % of DEI’s electricity production
which is based on the use of lignite is treated preferentially, since DEI only has to bear the cost of
mining, without having to pay royalties to the Greek state.

(b) DEI submitted only a few days ago its plan for separate accounting treatment of its activities, as set
out under Articles 13 and 14 of Community Directive 96/92, and this has not yet been checked, so
that the cost of generation remains totally untransparent and it is impossible to define conditions for
competition.

(c)

In spite of the fact that natural gas has been prescribed as the exclusive fuel for the new thermo-
electric power stations, the natural gas market remains totally closed and the implementation of
Community Directive 98/30 (2) is not anticipated before 2006.

(d) The Energy Regulatory Authority (RAE) does not have any decision-making powers, but only an
initiating role, and therefore cannot fulfil its regulatory mission, which the political leadership of the
Ministry for Development has retained.

Is the Commission satisfied with the liberalisation of the energy market in Greece?

Is it satisfied with the way in which the ERA is operating?

What are the reasons for the difficulties in liberalising the market, and what action does the Commission
intend to take in order to liberalise the energy market in Greece?

(1) OJ L 27, 30.1.1997, p. 20.
(2) OJ L 204, 21.7.1998, p. 1.