Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2002-12-18-Speech-3-126"
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"en.20021218.6.3-126"2
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"Mr President, may I on behalf of the Council state that I agree with most of what has been said, and with the anger, vexation and deep concern that has been expressed, and the demands for action that have been heard in this House.
It is not fair to say that the Council has done nothing, and therefore I would like to start by quoting from the Copenhagen conclusions, which state that ‘the conclusions of the meeting of the Committee on Regional Policy, Transport and Tourism of 6 December 2002 and of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Policy of 9 December 2002 should be implemented straight away in every respect’. It then continues by expressing satisfaction with the Commission’s work in respect of the economic, social and environmental consequences of the loss of the
. It also expresses satisfaction with the Commission’s intention to investigate the need for further specific measures, including in respect of liability and associated sanctions. There was thus complete support in Copenhagen for Mrs de Palacio and for the Committee on Regional Policy, Transport and Tourism and the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Policy.
What, then, was decided in the Committee on Regional Policy, Transport and Tourism on 5-6 December? It was a series of paragraphs which approximately correspond to Parliament’s viewpoints, which are indeed vigorous on a great many points and which already meet nearly all the requirements put forward here in this House. Naturally, there is a certain justification in saying that if steps had been taken a long time ago the catastrophe might possibly have been avoided – yes, we must acknowledge that fact. But now something is being done, and what is being done is exactly what the honourable speakers have asked for, and the rapid action taken by the Commissioner has been applauded.
I would like to say to Mr Simpson that one of the issues is, of course, that of the parties responsible having to pay. There are two types of liability. The first is to be met by the funds for covering expenditure on cleaning up beaches and providing compensation for fishermen – and there is nothing to suggest that these funds are insufficient to cover the expenses concerned. There is also, however, the liability for environmental damage, of course. The possibility of requiring greater liability to be accepted is open to discussion; and it is agreed that, if at all possible, there must be a requirement to accept such liability.
Mr Sterckx and others are right in saying that it is not the number of inspections which is crucial, but that inspection is carried out at the right points. It is a requirement that 25% are to be inspected; it is also correct that some countries are not meeting this requirement – and naturally that is wrong. The crucial thing, however, is that the right places be inspected and that they be inspected in the right way.
Mrs Ramos was concerned by certain attacks on the Spanish Government. Having been present at the debate in Copenhagen, I would like to bear witness to the fact that the Spanish Government put these problems right at the top of the agenda.
With regard to the issue of coastguards and agencies, I would refer to sections 7 and 9 of the Transport Ministers’ resolution of 5-6 December. With regard to the imposition of liability, I would refer to section 18. It must be conceded, however, that section 18 of the resolution is not particularly strong, and I believe there is a common hope that the Commission can come up with a stronger solution than that which is being prepared, and I believe that such a solution will have the Council’s blessing.
With regard to ports of refuge, which I did not manage to mention, I refer to section 8 – where the issue of ports of refuge is expressly mentioned, and that is my reply to Mr Jarzembowski.
My final advice to Parliament is as follows: hold the Council to the right declarations that have been made. That applies to the European Council, the Committee on Regional Policy, Transport and Tourism and the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Policy. Hold the Council to the right things that have been decided. After all, Parliament and the Council are in agreement concerning what is to be done; the task now is to put it into practice, as many speakers have also said. I wish Parliament luck with this and with providing inspiration to forthcoming presidencies in the years ahead."@en1
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