WRITTEN QUESTION E-0371/04 by Proinsias De Rossa (PSE) to the Commission. Ireland's failure to fix penalties for ozone-depleting substances.
Date: 2004-02-12
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Ireland, application of EU law, environmental law, pollution control measures, stratospheric pollution

C 84 E/576

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.4.2004

The Commission is currently reviewing its rules on regional State aid for the period after 2006. A decision
on the new regional aid guidelines is likely to be adopted in 2005.

With regard to low population density areas, no substantial change as compared to the present situation to
the detriment of these areas is envisaged at this stage of reflection. Low population density areas are likely
to continue to be eligible for regional aid, including aid to offset additional transport costs that affect the
economic activity in the regions concerned. Furthermore, the Commission is aware of the continued
depopulation that the most arctic regions are suffering from and is examining whether other types of
operating aid can be authorised where such aid is necessary to stop depopulation, provided that the aid
does not adversely affect trading conditions to an extent contrary to the common interest.

Moreover, the proposal for the reform of the cohesion policy, as laid down in the third cohesion report,
including sparsely
takes into account the situation of regions suffering from geographical handicaps,
populated areas, thus hindering their accessibility and their development. It is therefore proposed that
these territories should actually benefit from an increase in the maximum Community contribution.
Furthermore, the allocation of the resources for the regional competitiveness and employment priority
(new objective 2) should take account of this by using ‘territorial’ criteria, thus reflecting the relative
disadvantage of these regions. Member States should thus ensure that the specificities of these regions are
taken into account when targeting the resources within regional programmes.

(1) OJ C 74, 10.3.1998.

(2004/C 84 E/0653)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0371/04

by Proinsias De Rossa (PSE) to the Commission

(12 February 2004)

Subject: Ireland’s failure to fix penalties for ozone-depleting substances

What reply has the Commission received from the Irish Government in response to the letter of formal
notification that it sent to Ireland in October 2003, as announced in Commission press release IP/03/1425,
regarding Ireland’s failure to indicate what penalties have been fixed for breaches of the EU Regulation on
ozone-depleting substances (cid:1) Regulation 2037/2000 (1) of 29 June 2000 (cid:1) by the 31 December 2001
deadline?

What action is the Commission now considering in this matter?

(1) OJ L 244, 29.9.2000, p. 1.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(23 March 2004)

In December 2003, the Irish authorities notified national penalty provisions for the purposes of Article 21
of Regulation (EC) No 2037/2000 of the Parliament and of the Council of 29 June 2000 on substances
that deplete the ozone layer (1). This notification is currently under examination.

(1) OJ L 244, 29.9.2000.