Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2013-06-10-Speech-1-289-000"
| Predicate | Value (sorted: default) |
|---|---|
| rdf:type | |
| dcterms:Date | |
| dcterms:Is Part Of | |
| dcterms:Language | |
| lpv:document identification number |
"en.20130610.27.1-289-000"2
|
| lpv:hasSubsequent | |
| lpv:speaker | |
| lpv:spoken text |
"Mr President, as Europe’s road infrastructure is ageing and needs constant investment, my report poses some important questions.
First of all, how can we continue to fund infrastructure fairly and cost-efficiently while not impeding the four freedoms of the internal market into the future? Secondly, how can we ensure that the long-established principle of ‘the polluter pays’ is developed? Thirdly, what is the best way to implement a fully-functioning European electronic toll service system in Europe?
In drafting this report I was very conscious that the results of the EETS on the whole have been disappointing, something which the European Commission itself has pointed out. Indeed, it may be necessary for the Commission to go back to the drawing board and consider drafting stronger legislation – possibly in the form of a regulation – to ensure the creation of an effective EETS.
What are the key issues? First of all, the willingness of the stakeholders to adapt to EETS. As regards the European Electronic Toll Service, it seems that, following discussions with toll chargers and service providers, the key issue seems to be a willingness of the stakeholders to come together to put in place systems in order to suit the road user.
In other words, the single biggest challenge to implementing a functioning EETS for the end user seems to be political and not technological, and I am firmly of the opinion that the possibility of having one single onboard unit to use on all roads throughout the EU which are charged for by tolls is possible; but at the moment there is no way to force stakeholders to come together to make this happen. This has to change, and I hope that the Commission is listening and is of the same view.
Another possibility is to introduce barrier-free tolling, and I regret the fact that the Commission communication does not explore this possibility in sufficient detail. I hope – and recommend – that further steps are taken to develop and encourage its use throughout the European Union.
I think, from the point of view of what the issues are, that fair and proportionate charging is an issue. Member States which favour a time-based system should be allowed to continue to operate such a system. However, the prices charged should, as the Commission points out, be proportionate. Member States must be encouraged to provide for daily, weekly, monthly and yearly passes to motorists. The charge – excluding a small administrative charge – should ideally be exactly proportionate to the cost of an annual vignette. Unfortunately, however, the situation at present in some Member States is that the weekly vignette can cost up to four times the proportionate cost of the monthly or yearly vignette.
As regards the issue of taxation: this is a contentious issue, and I believe that Member States should continue to be free to set and collect the charges for the use of their own infrastructure within their own jurisdiction. I agree with the Commission’s views as regards making the payment for such a vignette as simple and as easy as possible for drivers, and this reiterates my view and that of the Member States that the focus must be on selling a fairly-priced vignette rather than trying to fine motors as much as possible.
Finally, there are huge environmental advantages to this. If we have a barrier-free Europe, we will have, for example, free access and movement, less pollution, greater trade and greater access to the market. Overall I think this is something that the Commission, Parliament and the Council should all push collectively in order to make happen. If it does not, this report that I have will become a dream, and what I want to do is to make sure that it becomes a reality."@en1
|
| lpv:spokenAs | |
| lpv:unclassifiedMetadata | |
| lpv:videoURI |
Named graphs describing this resource:
The resource appears as object in 2 triples