Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2004-04-21-Speech-3-380"
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"en.20040421.17.3-380"2
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".
Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, Mr Sterckx was unable to remain in Strasbourg this evening, and I am speaking for him.
The objective of the new directive on railway safety is to harmonise the regulatory structure in Member States and to develop common safety targets and methods in Europe. Harmonisation aims to reduce the number of barriers to an EU-wide railway network. The proposal defines the main elements of common safety systems, puts in place a common system for the issue of safety certificates, as well as introducing the principle of independent technical investigations in the event of accidents.
In conciliation an agreement was reached on 10 March which was confirmed by the Parliament delegation and the Conciliation Committee on 16 March. Under the agreement Member States agree to keep the introduction of national safety rules to a minimum. This way the objective concerning the application of just European rules gains depth.
The Commission’s powers to scrutinise new national rules were strengthened. It was given the power to suspend the application of a national rule if there is a serious doubt about the compatibility of the draft safety rules with the European rules. The Commission can also act if it considers that a rule constitutes arbitrary discrimination or disguised restriction in respect of rail transport operation between Member States.
The Member States will be obliged to ensure access to training facilities for train drivers and on-board safety personnel. To allow mobility of these members of staff between railway companies, it has been agreed that train drivers, on-board safety personnel as well as ground-based infrastructure managers will have the right to have access to and obtain copies of all documents attesting to their qualifications.
This new directive is an important step towards the creation of a safe European railway system and sets out a clear regulatory structure for its gradual establishment. The European Railway Agency, another essential part of this railway package, will play a key role in the implementation, monitoring, development and harmonisation of the system. The agreement reached within the Conciliation Committee fully reflects Parliament’s position at second reading.
All in all this railway package is a major step towards freeing up traffic by means of the railways. We need our railways to be efficient and safe and to provide a high quality service. Otherwise they will be unable to compete equally with other forms of transport. A functional railway system will mean greater and greater benefits to the consumer and also allow us to achieve sustainable development in transport."@en1
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