WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3931/97 by John CUSHNAHAN to the Commission. Competition
C 323/4 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 21. 10. 98 Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission (30 January 1998) The projects being financed by the European Investment Bank (EIB) within the framework of the Rome 2000 project were individually selected by the Bank, in accordance with its own criteria, as meeting an urgent need, viz. to improve infrastructures in Rome, and as having a significant and permanent impact on the economy. The vetting undertaken by the EIB confirmed the promotersí technical competence to carry out the projects satisfactorily. Among the projects in the Jubilee programme, some larger-scale works require a relatively lengthy authorisation procedure. This is why the national authoritiesí supervisory and coordinating roles have been strengthened. The EIB resources are managed by the national authorities, who pay them out as work progresses. A summary of these disbursements is presented to the Italian Parliament every six months. (98/C 323/04) WRITTEN QUESTION P-3931/97 by John Cushnahan (PPE) to the Commission (4 December 1997) Subject: Competition Could the Commission inform me if the present situation in Ireland, where it is not possible to sell ready-made reading/magnifying glasses in pharmacists, is a restrictive practice under the competition articles of the EC Treaty? Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission (13 January 1998) The Commission regrets that it does not have sufficient information to answer the question. The Honourable Member is invited to inform the Commission whether the situation which he describes is a result of Irish law or administrative provisions, or results from the actions of one or more suppliers refusing to sell glasses to pharmacists. (98/C 323/05) WRITTEN QUESTION E-4065/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (14 January 1998) Subject: IRAP and unemployment The sectors to be hardest hit by the tax IRAP are those which are most labour-intensive › the professions, commerce, craft industries, farming, transport, the building industry, etc. IRAP will also affect investments because it taxes the interest on debts. This will have an adverse impact on employment, because it will remove any incentive to develop companies or create new ones, which will do little for the new jobs envisaged by the Italian Government. Can the Commission say whether, in view of the European Employment Summit, the fiscal policy pursued by the Italian Finance Minister Visco does not conflict with the overall strategy of the Commission, the Council and the European Parliament? Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (30 March 1998) The IRAP (imposta regionale sulle attivita· produttive) is a new regional tax which was introduced in 1998 as a replacement for a number of other taxes previously levied in Italy