Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/1999-09-15-Speech-3-092"
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"en.19990915.9.3-092"2
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"Madam President, Commission President, 1999 has been a difficult year for the mainstream EU institutions in that problems which surfaced over issues such as the accountability about the administration of various EU initiatives had strained relations between the European Parliament and the Commission.
I would like to impress upon the new college of the Commission and all Members of the European Parliament that the events of this year must be put behind us as a matter of urgency. We must all reflect on the difficulties of the last twelve months in particular and learn from the mistakes that were clearly made. We must ensure that decision-making structures are put in place at EU level which will guarantee that all decisions are accounted for.
In the resolution tabled today by my political group, we stress that there must be sound management in the administration of all EU programmes and initiatives. Because the Commission is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operation of so many EU-sponsored policies, it should take particular note of its Treaty obligations in this regard. The challenges facing the European Union are too great for institutional deadlock to hamper the Commission and the European Parliament in dealing with their legislative programme. The European Union cannot operate effectively unless there is cooperation and understanding between the Commission, Parliament and the Council. I am not interested in promoting European Union decision-making founded on institutional stalemate. I believe that the Commission too must recognise that the expanded remit of the codecision procedure means that Parliament has an equal say in the enactment of EU directives and regulations encompassing 38 different economic and social sectors. The codecision procedure covers a wide range of activities including those in the transport sector, regional affairs, social matters, employment initiatives, structural funding, consumer protection, public health and environmental concerns. If the codecision procedure is not operated in an effective manner, then inefficiency will take root in the internal decision-making procedures of the Union. That is the last thing we need at this challenging time.
The single greatest challenge facing the European Union is to prepare for the enlargement process with the accession of six new countries to the Union by the year 2004-2005. There are currently 37 different chapters of negotiation to be discussed between the Union and the new applicant countries. These are going to be difficult discussions and internal institutional reform is needed in the EU if the enlargement process is to be successful.
In conclusion, the Commission and Parliament must ensure that tough decisions are worked through in a spirit of understanding and common purpose. I hope that all of us have learned this lesson from the events of the last year. Our Group does have a group position. Each national delegation will vote as it thinks fit. The Irish delegation will vote for President Prodi and the Commission."@en1
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