 |
Home |
|
What's New |
|
Speeches & Articles |
|
Newsletter - Mar 2012 |
|
Biography |
|
Diary |
|
Contact Information |
|
Photo Album |
|
Parliamentary Highlights |
|
Publications |
|
Links |
|
MEPs' Transparency |
 Visit the Freedom Association website |
 |
|
Parliamentary Highlights This is for people who want more information on actual reports/legislation going through the Parliament. Preview of Strasbourg Session (13 - 16 March 2006) Oral Question - Zaborska - Forced Prostitution in the Framework of World Sports Events (FEMM) Debate: Mon 17:00-22:00 Vote: Tues 11:30-13:00 This oral question from the Chairman of the FEMM Committee asks the Commission what strategies it is pursuing to combat the trafficking of prostitutes around major sports events. Conservatives are likely to vote with the EPP-ED Oral Question - Riis-Jørgensen, Lynne - EU Measures against Trafficking in Human Beings and the Launch of Anti-Trafficking Day (ALDE) Debate: Mon 17:00-22:00 This oral question from the ALDE Group raises issues on what measures Member States have taken in order to comply with Council decisions on the trafficking of human beings. It asks if the Commission will support an earlier Parliament proposal to establish an "anti-trafficking day" to raise awareness of the issue. Conservatives will have a separate whip Hutchinson - Relocation in the context of regional development (REGI) (INI) Debate: Mon 17.00-22.00 Vote: Tues 11.30-13.00 This report aims to ensure that the benefits of any aid from the European Union are not misused or abused by companies relocating elsewhere and/or failing to comply with the conditions applying to the aid given. The granting of aid and continued payments would be conditional on undertakings regarding employment and local development being adhered to by companies and the local, regional and national authorities. Conservatives may vote with the EPP-ED Oral Question - Musacchio - Fourth World Water Forum in Mexico City (16-22 March 2006) (Greens/EFA) Debate: Mon 17.00-22.00 Vote: Tues 11.30-13.00 This oral question from the Greens asks what political mandate the Commission will have when it participates in the forthcoming Water Forum. It also asks what the Commission's strategy is for promoting access to water as a fundamental human right. The Commission is one of the main stakeholders in the EU Water Initiative. Conservatives support the Commission's involvement at the World Water Council. Whilst we recognise that, to date, so far progress has been slow regarding global water initiatives, the Commission is one of the few bodies that can have a real impact through the aid budget. Conservatives will vote with the EPP-ED Papadimoulis - Rapid response and preparedness instrument for major emergencies (ENVI) (Consultation) Debate: Mon 17.00-22.00 Vote: Tues 11.30-13.00 This proposal will constitute a new legal basis for the period 2007-2013 for granting Community financial support to civil protection actions and measures in the field of preparedness and rapid response. Though the proposal had originally applied to actions exclusively within the EU, the scope has now been extended to cover emergencies outside of the Community following the vote in the Environment Committee. Conservatives will have a separate whip Matsakis - Community strategy concerning mercury (ENVI) (INI) Debate: Mon 17.00-22.00 Vote: Tues 11.30-13.00 The Community Strategy concerning mercury is a non-legislative report with a goal to phase out mercury exports from the Community and introduce an export ban by 2010. This ban would see the end of the tradition of barometer making which was begun in the mid 1600s in the UK when mercury barometers were first introduced. Conservatives have tabled an amendment proposing that barometers be excluded from the strategy so that they continue to be manufactured and repaired. Conservatives will vote with the EPP-ED Oral Question - Szenti-Iványi, Watson, Cambó - Freedom of Movement of Workers and Transition Periods (ALDE) Debate: Mon 17:00-22:00 Vote: Tues 11.30-13.00 This oral question from ALDE deals with the fact that the Accession Treaty provides for a transitional period whereby Community laws on free movement of workers may be deferred for a maximum period of 7 years in the enlarged EU. It asks the Commission if it intends to submit proposals to "remedy the situation regarding unequal treatment on the labour market of third-country nationals and citizens of the Member States that joined the EU in 2004". Conservatives will have a separate whip Paasilinna - A European information society for growth and employment (ITRE) (INI) Debate: Tues 09.00-11.20 Vote: Tues 11.30-13.00 This report responds to the Commission initiative i2010: European Information Society 2010 to foster growth and jobs in the information society and media industries. The Commission plans to promote broadband internet networks throughout Europe. Conservatives will vote with the EPP-ED Cottigny - Restructuring and Employment (EMPL) (INI) Joint Debate: Tues 09.00-11.20 Vote: Tues 11.30-13.00 This report states that the EU needs to respond to the speed of change affecting both the economy and society in general and thus it needs to develop a proactive strategic approach to restructuring regarding employment and business. Conservatives will have a separate whip Gröner, Sartori - European Institute for Gender Equality (FEMM) (Co-Decision - First Reading) Debate: Tues 09.00-11.20 Vote: Tues 11.30-13.00 Conservatives are against the proliferation of EU agencies and it would not make sense to consider the remit and role of this Institute until these have been decided by the Fundamental Rights Agency. Conservatives will have a separate whip Hamon - Strategic review of the International Monetary Fund (ECON) (INI) Vote: Wed 11.30-12.00 This own-initiative report is in response to the IMF's strategic review following its 60th anniversary. Conservatives believe the IMF continues to play an important role in the world economy. However, it should refocus its activities towards its core mandate of promoting exchange stability and lending to member countries experiencing balance of payments difficulties, as well as stepping up its surveillance role in order to help reduce global financial instability. Conservatives oppose any move to replace the UK seat on the IMF with a single EU seat. Conservatives will have a separate whip Hazan - Evaluation of the European Arrest Warrant (LIBE) (INI) Debate: Tues 15.30-16.30 Vote: Wed 11.30-13.00 Conservatives will have a separate whip Bauer - Social Protection and Inclusion (EMPL (INI) Debate: Tues 21.00 - 24.00 Vote: Wed 11.30-13.00 This own-initiative report deals with measures on poverty and social exclusion. It puts forward numerous suggestions on ways to deal with these issues. Conservatives may vote with the EPP-ED (Possibly) Grech - Guidelines for the budgetary procedure (BUDG) Debate: Tues 21.00-24.00 Vote: Wed 11.30-13.00 Budget procedure. Conservatives are likely to vote with the EPP-ED (Possibly) Seppänen - Guarantee Fund for External Actions (BUDG) (Consultation) Debate: Tues 21.00-24.00 Vote: Wed 11.30-13.00 The purpose of this report is to improve the rules of the provisioning mechanism of the Guarantee Fund (the "Fund"), i.e. the rules that determine how the Fund's assets are brought in line with the target amount of the Fund. Conservatives are likely to vote with the EPP-ED (Possibly) Gräßle - Financial Regulation applicable to the General Budget of the European Communities (BUDG) (Consultation) Debate: Tues 21:00-24:00 Vote: Wed 11.30-13.00 This report amends a previous rule on financial regulation applicable to the general budget of the EU. The main objective of the review is to improve efficiency and transparency of the rules. Conservatives are likely to vote with the EPP-ED (Possibly) Kauppi - Formation and Capital of Public Limited Liability Companies (JURI) (Co-Decision - First Reading) Debate: Tues 21:00-24:00 Vote: Wed 11.30-13.00 This proposal amends the parts of the 1976 Second Company Law Directive covering the formation, maintenance and alteration of capital. This proposal is part of the Commission's Action Plan on Company Law and Corporate Governance Stakeholders find some aspects of the current legal capital regime under the Second Company Law Directive too inflexible and costly. To remedy this, the new proposal would cut red tape by enabling Member States, under certain conditions, to eliminate specific financial reporting requirements and to facilitate specific changes in share ownership. It would also bring into line across the EU the basic elements of legal procedures for creditors when capital is reduced. The compromise agreed by the three institutions aims to simplify the text proposed by the Commission and to reduce burdens for companies. Conservatives will vote with the EPP-ED Brok - 2005 Enlargement Strategy Paper - (AFET) (INI) Debate: Wed 15.00-19.00 Vote: Thurs 12.00 This strategy paper sets out the enlargement process for various countries including Croatia, Macedonia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo and Serbia & Montenegro. Conservatives support enlargement of the EU and would like to see further enlargement include Ukraine. Conservatives will vote with the EPP-ED Graefe zu Baringdorf - Protection of Geographical Indications and Destinations of Origin for Agricultural Products and Foodstuffs (AGRI) (Consultation) Graefe zu Baringdorf - Agricultural Products and Foodstuffs as Traditional Specialities Guaranteed (AGRI) (Consultation) Debate: Wed 21.00-24.00 Vote: Thurs 12.00 The two zu Baringdorf reports support the overall aim of the Commission to update and simplify the existing voluntary system for the registration of products falling into the following categories:
Conservatives are likely to support the reports but may have a separate whip on certain amendments O'Neachtain - More Environmentally-Friendly Fishing Methods (PECH) (INI) Debate Wed 21.00-24.00 Vote: Thurs 12.00 The O'Neachtain report deals with the Commission proposal on the introduction of more environmentally-friendly fishing methods in the CFP. Conservatives will vote with the EPP-ED Ramos - Partnership Agreement between the Community and the Federated States of Micronesia on Fishing (PECH) (Consultation) Debate: Wed 21.00-24.00 Vote. Thurs 12.00 This report deals with the fisheries partnership agreement which establishes the fishing possibilities and the financial contribution to Micronesia. This agreement has been concluded for an initial period of three years. The report calls for more involvement of the European Parliament in such agreements. Conservatives will vote with the EPP-ED Trakatellis - Community Action Programme in the Field of Health (ENVI) (Co-Decision - First Readng) Debate: Thurs 10.00-11.50 Vote: Thurs 12.00 This report aims to complement and support the policies of Member States in the field of protecting and promoting human health and safety, preventing human illness, diseases and injuries. The total budget for the Programme will total €1.5 bn for the period 2007-2013. Health was separated from consumer protection at the committee stage (the original Commission proposal combined the two). Conservatives will vote with the EPP-ED but may have a separate whip on certain amendments Thyssen - Community Action Programme in the Field of Consumer Protection (IMCO) (Co-Decision - First Reading) Debate: Thurs 10.00-11.50 Vote: Thurs 12.00 The proposal sets out the activities of the EU in the areas of health and consumer protection for the next budgetary period. The EPP-ED Rapporteur proposes to split the Programme removing provisions related to public health. The report highlights, in particular, issues concerning the new Member States as well as vulnerable consumers. It also calls for a cost-benefit analysis of the Commission's plan to set up an executive agency. Conservatives are likely to vote with the EPP-ED Oral Question - Crespo - State of the European Footwear Sector One Year after Liberalisation (INTA) Debate: Thurs 10.00-11.50 The Delegation Spokesman will ask the Commissioner to provide evidence of Chinese and Vietnamese dumping of footwear. The Commissioner, Mr Mandelson, announced on 23 February that measures are to be taken to prevent these countries from exporting shoes into the EU for less than the cost of production. Many UK firms believe this move is nothing more than protectionism by another name. Conservatives are opposed to dumping and feel it is important to see evidence of this. Statements and Commuunications Commission Communication - Annual Policy Strategy Statement: Tues 15.00-15.30 Council and Commission Statements - Preparations for the European Council/ Lisbon Strategy Debate: Wed 09.00-11.20 Vote: Wed 11.30-13.00 Conservatives will have a separate whip Council and Commission Statements - Results of the Informal Summit (GYMNICH, 10-11 March) Debate: Wed 15.00-19.00 Council and Commission Statements - Euro-Mediterranean Policy/ Preparation for the next meeting of the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly Debate: Wed -15.00-19.00 Council and Commission Statements - State of Negotiations on the Human Rights Council (Geneva - 62nd Session - UNCHR) Debate: Wed 15.00-19.00 Vote: Thurs 12.00 Conservatives will vote with the EPP-ED Formal Sittings Address by Mr Horst Köhler President of the Federal Republic of Germany Tues 12.00-12.30 Address by Mr Mahmoud Abbas President of the Palestinian Authority Wed 12.00-12.30 |