WRITTEN QUESTION E-0659/04 by Roger Helmer (PPE-DE) to the Commission. NGO and civil society funding — European Convention.
Date: 2004-03-09
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, non-governmental organisation

C 84 E/650

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.4.2004

The principle whereby it is obligatory for crews on cabotage routes to know the language of the countries
served is elementary common sense;
linking
Norway with its North Sea and Baltic neighbours.

it applies to the Norwegian cabotage lines, for example,

Can the Commission confirm that IP/04/159 is even correct?

Will it provide me with the results of the enquiry which it undoubtedly carried out before proceeding
legally to dispute in any way the application of the principle whereby it is obligatory for crews of cabotage
vessels working off the coast of Europe to know the local language?

Can it explain how it intends to assume its responsibilities if there is an accident caused by failure to
respect this basic rule of safety at sea?

Can it explain how it reconciles this profoundly irresponsible attitude with its guarantees that it is
committed to ensuring safety at sea?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(14 April 2004)

The Commission believes that imposing a knowledge of Greek on all crew members, including those who
are not responsible for assisting passengers in emergency situations, is unacceptable.

The Commission would recall that the Community legislation, in particular Directive 2001/25/EC of the
European Parliament and of the Council of 4 April 2001 on the minimum level of training of seafarers (1),
lays down rules regarding on-board communication, among other things. Article 17 of the Directive
requires the Member States to ensure that crew members on passenger ships who are responsible for
assisting passengers in emergency situations have sufficient skills to communicate with them. A knowledge
of the languages appropriate to the principle nationalities of the passengers carried on a particular route is
one of the requirements which may be demanded.

With regard to the Honourable Member’s reference to the rules which apply on Norwegian ships, the
Commission will gather the necessary information from the Surveillance Authority of the European Free
Trade Association (EFTA).

(1) OJ L 136, 18.5.2001.

(2004/C 84 E/0732)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0659/04

by Roger Helmer (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(9 March 2004)

Subject: NGO and civil society funding (cid:1) European Convention

Can the Commission please tell me specifically which NGOs and/or civil society representatives/
organisations received funding, grants or expenses of any kind for their participation in the European
Convention?

Can they further tell me how much each specific organisation, individual or NGO received, on what date
and for what purpose any monies were paid?

3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 84 E/651

Answer given by Ms Schreyer on behalf of the Commission

(2 April 2004)

As the Commission indicated in its recent reply to Written Question P-0074/04 (1), the Honourable
Member can obtain more detailed information from the General Secretariat of the Council, which provided
the secretariat for the two conventions.

(1) See page 144.

(2004/C 84 E/0733)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0671/04

by Proinsias De Rossa (PSE) to the Commission

(9 March 2004)

Subject: Ireland’s failure to report on CO2 emissions from new passenger cars

What reply, if any, has the Commission received from the Irish Government in response to the reasoned
opinion sent to Ireland in April 2002, as announced in IP/02/553, regarding Ireland’s failure to report on
CO2 emissions from new passenger cars in line with Decision No 1753/2000/EC (1) of 22 June 2000?
What action has the Commission taken or is it considering taking in this matter?

(1) OJ L 202, 10.8.2000, p. 1.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(16 April 2004)

The infringement procedure referred to by the Honourable Member (1) relates to the failure by Ireland to
provide monitoring data on Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from new passenger cars for the year 2000
pursuant to Decision No 1753/2000/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 22 June 2000 establishing
a scheme to monitor the average specific emissions of CO2 from new passenger cars. As Ireland’s response
to this infringement did not provide the missing information, the Commission decided to refer Ireland to
the Court of Justice and a Court application was lodged in June 2003. During the course of the Court
proceedings, Ireland provided data for 2000 and 2001. The Commission considered that the infringement
had thereby been brought to an end and in December 2003 it decided to withdraw the proceedings from
the Court.

(1) 2001/2203.

(2004/C 84 E/0734)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0672/04

by Proinsias De Rossa (PSE) to the Commission

Subject: Recognition of pharmacists’ professional qualifications

(9 March 2004)

Article 2, paragraph 2 of Directive 85/433/EEC (1) allows Member States to prevent pharmacists who have
obtained their qualifications in another Member State from working in pharmacies established for less than
three years.

Has the Commission received complaints regarding the impact of this particular provision at Member State
level and, if so, what has been its response to these complaints?

(1) OJ L 253, 24.9.1985, p. 37.