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Parliamentary Highlights This is for people who want more information on actual reports/legislation going through the Parliament. For further details visit the Press Service section of the European Parliament website Preview of Strasbourg Session (3 - 6 July 2006) Finnish Prime Minister Matti VANHANEN launches his country's six-month Presidency of the EU on Wednesday. Also on Wednesday, MEPs will debate the alleged use of European countries by the CIA for the transportation and illegal detention of prisoners. On Tuesday, Parliament will debate and vote on the 308 billion Structural Funds package for 2007-2013. On Tuesday morning, statements will be made on 70th anniversary of the state coup in Spain and the condemnation of the Franco regime. MEPs will also debate the Equitable Life crisis on Monday. Thursday sees the House tackling the issues of fair trade and immigration. Monday 3 July 2006 The last plenary session before the summer break starts with a debate on the EU's own resources (revenue). MEPs are demanding a greater role in the 2009 planned review. Diana WALLIS (ALDE, UK) will be tabling an interim report into the crisis of the Equitable Life Assurance Society which includes a request for a 3-month extension to its mandate to enable it to study the report by the UK Parliamentary Ombudsman due for publication in November. Tuesday 4 July 2006 On Tuesday, the plenary session starts with European Parliament President Josep BORRELL and the political group leaders making statements on the "condemnation of the Franco Regime on the 70th anniversary of the state coup." MEPs then turn their attention to the EU cohesion policy and Structural Funds 2007-2013. If approved, around 308 billion - or 35.7 per cent of the total EU budget - will be available to spend, on time, from 1 January 2007. Caroline LUCAS (Greens/EFA, UK) will be presenting her own-initiative report on reducing the climate change impact of aviation which fully endorses the Commission's intention to pursue the introduction of kerosene taxes, and urges it to begin immediately by requiring a tax on all domestic and intra-EU flights. Parliament will also debate two conciliation agreements: one on more transparency for an environmentally-friendly Europe which means Europe's citizens will in future have easier access to information on the environment and be able to play a more active role in EU decisions in this area. The second conciliation agreement is on batteries which aims to protect nature and rubbish dumps from the often toxic substances contained in the tons of batteries utilised annually. In future waste batteries will have to be collected and recycled. Wednesday 5 July 2006 At 9am, Finnish Prime Minister Matti VANHANEN will present the priorities of the Finnish Presidency to the European Parliament. MEPs will then debate these priorities with the participation of Commission President Josι Manuel BARROSO. Wednesday afternoon is dedicated to the presumed use of European countries by the CIA for the transportation and illegal detention of prisoners. MEPs will debate the interim report which says the CIA was "directly responsible" for extraordinary rendition, "illegal seizure, removal, abduction and detention of terrorist suspects on the territory of Member States, accession and candidate countries", all of which were violations of international law. MEPs have also criticised Member States for their inactivity or complicity regarding CIA activity. On Wednesday evening, there will be a joint debate on comitology. Richard CORBETT (PES, UK) has two reports: Comitology: exercise of implementing powers conferred to the Commission and Implementing powers conferred on the Commission, Comitology. Interinstitutional agreement. After hearing a Commission statement, MEPs will then debate the issue of "AIDS - Time to deliver." Thursday 6 July 2006 MEPs debate the issues of development and migration and fair trade development. Parliament will also vote on a report by Stephen HUGHES (PES, UK) on protecting workers against the risk of infection from contaminated needles. Every year around a million workers in Europe, mainly in the medical world, suffer injuries from used surgical needles. The consequences can be serious, including infections from HIV or hepatitis B or C. The EP Social Affairs Committee wants to improve existing EU legislation so as to give workers better protection. Significant changes to the Agenda Strasbourg July 2006 Monday, 3 July First item on Monday is a debate with resolution on the economic and social consequences of the restructuring of businesses in Europe. Alain LAMASSOURE (EPP-ED, FR) on system of own resources to be included in votes on Tuesday without debate. Karin RIIS-JΨRGENSEN (ALDE, DK) on passenger car related taxes is postponed to September I. There is an additional oral question to the Commission on mergers and buyouts in European stock-exchanges. Tuesday 4 July Luis de GRANDES PASCUAL (EPP-ED, ES) on funding to do with pollution caused by ships is postponed to September I. Wednesday 5 July On Wednesday evening, there will be a joint debate on comitology. Richard CORBETT (PES, UK) has two reports: Comitology: exercise of implementing powers conferred to the Commission and Implementing powers conferred on the Commission, Comitology. Interinstitutional agreement. The report by Diana WALLIS (ALDE, UK) on accession to the Hague Conference on Private International Law is postponed. The debate on "AIDS - Time to deliver" will take place on Wednesday evening. Thursday 6 July The oral question on the counterfeiting of medicinal products is postponed to September. |