WRITTEN QUESTION E-1258/03 by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Shipbuilding at the Izar-Fene shipyard in the Ría do Ferrol, Galicia.
Date: 2003-04-03
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Galicia, Spain, State aid, competition policy, control of State aid, economic recession, industrial restructuring, shipbuilding

6.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 58 E/53

3. Where is the issue of bioptic driving on their agenda, and what, if any, proactive actions or enquiries
are they pursuing on this subject?

4.

Do they have any projected timeframe within which they anticipate developments?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(30 April 2003)

While the creation of medical working groups,
including one on vision, has been announced to the
Driving Licence Committee which approved of the principle, these working groups have not yet been
established, nor have terms of reference been fixed or members appointed. The future medical working
groups will be evaluating the medical requirements to drive as laid down in Annex III of Council Directive
91/439/EEC of 29 July 1991 on driving licences (1), which were established in 1991.

The issue of bioptic driving is still in an experimental stage in the Union. So far the use of bioptic lenses
has not been allowed, and is not expected to be for the near future, as it should first be thoroughly
investigated and discussed.

As the medical working group on vision has not yet been established, it is not possible to affirm if this
subject will be an issue on the agenda.

(1) OJ L 237, 24.8.1991.

(2004/C 58 E/071)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1258/03

by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(3 April 2003)

Subject: Shipbuilding at the Izar-Fene shipyard in the Ría do Ferrol, Galicia

The Galician Parliament recently approved a proposal requesting that the Izar-Fene shipyard in the Ría do
Ferrol, Galicia, be allowed to build ships again (cid:1) an activity in which it had reached world-class, building
ships up to 300 000 tonnes (cid:1) and that it should be able to continue manufacturing off-shore equipment.
The Izar-Fene shipyard, formerly Astano and now part of the Izar company, would thus no longer suffer
from the discrimination which led, in different circumstances, to it being banned from building merchant
ships, causing a serious economic crisis in the Ferrol region. The need to renew the world fleet for the
transport of oil derivatives and dangerous goods, which is particularly urgent given the disastrous effects of
accidents such as that involving the ‘Prestige’ off the Galician coast, speaks in favour of such a decision,
which would make a significant contribution to the development of both the Ferrol region and Galicia as a
whole.

What decision will the Commission take on the request from the Galician Parliament, which reflects the
desire expressed by the whole of Galician society?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(23 May 2003)

It may be worth recalling that Fene (ex Astano) shipyard is closed to shipbuilding because this was one of
the conditions when the Commission authorised (1) Spain to grant substantial restructuring aid to the

C 58 E/54

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.3.2004

public Spanish shipyards. It can furthermore be noted that the relevant Commission decision was partly
based on Council Regulation (2) 1013/97 of 2 June 1997 on aid to certain shipyards under restructuring,
which also stated the condition on the non-reopening to shipbuilding at Astano. However,
the
Commission has not received any formal request from the Spanish government concerning the Fene yard
and has not taken any position on this issue.

(1) OJ C 354, 21.11.1997, p. 2.
(2) OJ L 148, 6.6.1997, p. 1.

(2004/C 58 E/072)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1260/03

by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(3 April 2003)

Subject: Presence of Galician vessels in the development of the fishing industry in Brazil

Is the Commission aware of the experiences of fishing vessels from Galician ports such as Vigo, La Coruña,
Ribeira and Marín which are working or have worked in waters under exclusive Brazilian competence,
hiring licences from Brazilian companies? Will
the desire for
cooperation shown by the new Brazilian government and take steps which might lead to mutually
beneficial agreements?

the Commission take advantage of

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(16 May 2003)

At present there is no fisheries agreement between the Community and Brazil. Thus any fishing in
Brazilian waters by vessels flying the flag of a Member State is not covered by such an agreement.
The Commission does not rule out the possibility that under private contracts Community vessels have
been allowed to fish in these waters.

The Commission has maintained contact in the past with Brazil in order to explore the possibility of
reaching mutually advantageous agreements in the fisheries sector. These have however never given rise to
formal negotiations.

The Commission is ready to consult regularly with Brazil on questions of mutual interest in the sector. If a
desire for cooperation arrangements was to be confirmed it would be ready to discuss directly what the
content of these should be.

(2004/C 58 E/073)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1268/03

by Antonio Di Pietro (ELDR) to the Commission

Subject: Rules governing local radio broadcasters in Italy

(3 April 2003)

Article 1(2)(a) of Law No 66 of 20 March 2001 requires that commercial local radio broadcasters in Italy
have the legal status of partnerships or joint stock companies that employ at least two people in
conformity with the social security provisions in force.