11 october 2012 - european parliament · 2012-10-15 · convention (mlc) represented the first ......
TRANSCRIPT
PRESENTATION OF DRAFT REPORT
Port State Control Rapporteur: Brian Simpson (S&D; UK) The Rapporteur explained that the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) represented the first comprehensive maritime labour code for more than 1.2 million seafarers worldwide. It covers the minimum requirements for seafarers to work on board a ship. The current proposal will make it possible to verify that the relevant standards are applied on board all ships calling at EU ports, regardless of the seafarers' nationality or the ship’s flag. This was welcome as a means to limit social dumping, which undermines working conditions and penalises ship owners who are offering decent working conditions. Mr Simpson added that some of his proposed amendments sought to make clear that minimum international standards should not be allowed to undermine higher existing European standards. Others aligned the text of the Directive more closely with that of the MLC. A further series of amendments would ensure that information was transmitted to the International Labour Organisation to promote the spread of best practice. There were also proposals to strengthen clauses concerning the confidentiality of complaints. A final set of amendments dealt with delegated and implementing powers. Shadow Rapporteurs broadly supported the Rapporteur’s approach while cautioning that the requirements should not be too burdensome. They also shared the Rapporteur’s view that inspectors would require greater training on labour issues; the European Maritime Safety Agency could play a valuable role here.
Timetable foreseen
Deadline for amendments 16 October 2012
Vote in TRAN Committee 27 November 2012
Vote in plenary January/ February 2013
PRESENTATION OF DRAFT OPINIONS
Simplifying Transfer of Motor Vehicles Rapporteur: Hubert Pirker (EPP; AT) The Commission's proposal simplifies the formalities and conditions for the registration of motor vehicles registered in another Member State. This will reduce administrative burdens for citizens, businesses and registration authorities and ensure road safety while maintaining the fight against abuse and theft of vehicle registration documents.
The Rapporteur considered the proposal to be a positive step towards a more effective Europe, something which citizens strongly expect. His draft opinion included various clarifications, especially with regard to the protection of personal data and the reinforcement of road safety.
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The draft opinion was well received by the Shadow Rapporteurs. The need for simplification was widely shared, even if some speakers considered that the topic was not urgent, as the transfer of motor vehicles is already possible. In addition, the link to and the need for consistency with the coming proposal on roadworthiness tests was underlined. Other issues needing further clarification were: the importance of mutual recognition of
roadworthiness tests across the EU; the insurance regimes of the vehicles concerned
in case of accident and the duration of the validity of the professional vehicle registration.
The Commission considered most of the proposed amendments to represent useful precisions to the proposal.
Timetable foreseen
Deadline for amendments 16 October 2012
Vote in TRAN Committee 27 November 2012
Flag state responsibilities Rapporteur: Georges Bach (EPP; LU) The Rapporteur welcomed the proposal, which will enforce, at EU level, important achievements of social dialogue in the maritime sector. He suggested that it could be strengthened by incorporating substantial parts of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), in particular to establish an effective and detailed inspection regime. Incorporating a certification process in the proposal remains an issue that could be subject to further adjustments. Shadow Rapporteurs supported the principle of strengthening the Commission proposal with provisions from the MLC. Including the certification process in EU legislation appears to be important as
does the issue of on-board complaint proceedings. The close link with the report on Port State Control, debated in the Committee prior to this proposal, was underlined. The difficult situation of seafarers was mentioned by several Members. The Commission agreed with many of these points, such as complaints on-board. For some other issues, such as those linked to certification, inclusion could be more difficult as some are Member States' responsibility.
Timetable foreseen
Deadline for amendments 16 October 2012
Vote in TRAN Committee 27 November 2012
Vote in EMPL Committee January 2013
CONSIDERATION OF AMENDMENTS
Airports Package Ordinary legislative procedure, first reading Slots Regulation Rapporteur: Giommaria Uggias(ALDE; IT) Mr Uggias gave an overview of the 280 amendments received, in addition to the 43 proposed in his draft report. They showed, across the political spectrum, disagreement with some of the core elements of the Commission proposal. In particular, the proposed length of the series of slots (15 in summer, 10 in winter) received many amendments that seek to go back to the current regime of five slots. The other critical point, rejected by several Groups, is the proposed increase in the threshold to retain grandfathering rights a series of slots from 80% to 85% of the slots requested. The Commission argues this measure would help to increase slot utilisation rates. Members opposed say that it would create confusion for airlines as the
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international IATA guidelines stipulate an 80% utilisation rate. On both points the Rapporteur is willing to seek compromises that help to increase slots utilisation and take into account Members' concerns. There was also agreement to delete the provision on the definition of network airports The vote in Committee will be held together with the other two "airports package" files dealing with groundhandling and noise.
Timetable foreseen
Vote in TRAN Committee 6 November 2012
Vote in plenary December 2013
EXCHANGES OF VIEWS
Functional Airspace Blocks (FAB) Georg Jarzembowski, the FAB Coordinator, reported on progress in establishing Functional Airspace Blocks. Peter Griffiths, Chair of the 'Performance Review Body' spoke about the more technical aspects and the remaining difficulties. The Performance Review Body is independent and monitors and assesses the performance of the system and develops indicators for the various performance areas. Dr Jarzembowski underlined the limited progress regarding the substance of the FABs. Two out of nine FABs (Spain-Portugal & Blue MED) are still not in force. The lack of progress is a set back and political will in Member States is clearly missing. The deadline of 4 December 2012 for the completion of the implementation of the FABs is at risk.
Members expressed their deep disappointment with the Member States' attitude and asked the Commission to take the necessary actions, through infringement proceedings if needed. In addition, the Committee thought Dr Jarzembowski's mandate as FAB Coordinator should be prolonged. The Chair will deliver these messages at the Single European Sky conference in Cyprus on 11 and 12 October.
Tourism Task Force Members held an exchange of views on the draft document presented by Carlo Fidanza (EPP; IT) which draws up a road map for priority action of the Tourism Task Force (TTF) with a time frame extending through 2013. The paper stresses the importance of cooperation between the different institutions and organisations and the involvement of stakeholders. The main events proposed include meetings with the Commission, the EU Presidency and other parliamentary Committees involved in tourism as well as exchanges with stakeholders and events addressing the wider public.
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The paper emphasizes aspects of tourism policy on which the TTF should particularly focus. It recommends specific actions in relation to accessibility, seasonality, diversification of touristic products, attraction of new tourist flows, the classification systems in Europe and the creation of a European Brand. WIth regards to a European Tourism Quality Label, the Commission's representative announced a legislative proposal for the end of the year. In addition, financial resources in the field of tourism are to be followed up, including in the context of the COSME programme. The Chair concluded that the document will serve as a guide for the Task Force's activities.
NEXT TRAN COMMITTEE MEETING, BRUSSELS
Provisional agenda:
Monday, 5 November 2012, afternoon
Connecting Europe Facility - consideration of amendments (in ITRE meeting room JAN 4Q2)/ Riquet/Ayala Sender/Valean
Announcement of Council's position on EMSA Airports package - consideration of amendments
on groundhandling services and noise-related operations/ Zasada/Leichtfried
Tuesday, 6 November 2012, morning
TEN-T Guidelines - consideration of amendments/ Koumoutsakos/Ertug
EC-DG REGIO, Mr Walter Deffaa on regional policies CEF/TEN-T
Presentation of a study - Eurovelo
Tuesday, 6 November 2012, afternoon
Noise-related operating restrictions at Union airports - vote/ Leichtfried
Common rules for allocation of slots - vote/ Uggias
Groundhandling services at Union airports - vote/ Zasada
Award of concession contracts - vote/ Wils Presentation of draft recommendation EMSA
regulation/ Fleckenstein EU competition policy - presentation of draft
opinion/ Kamall TRAN COMMITTEE MEETINGS 2012, BRUSSELS
Monday, 26 November, 15.00-18.30 Tuesday, 27 November, 09.00-12.30 Tuesday, 27 November, 15.00-18.30 Monday, 3 December, 15.00-18.30 Monday, 17 December, 15.00-18.30 Tuesday, 18 December, 09.00-12.30 Tuesday, 18 December, 15.00-18.30 TRAN COMMITTEE MEETINGS 2013, BRUSSELS
For the provisional 2013 meetings calendar click here
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European Maritime Safety Agency newsletters:
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Trans-European Transport Network Executive Agency newsletters:
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DG MOVE newsletter:
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