WRITTEN QUESTION E-1839/99 by María Sornosa Martínez (PSE) to the Commission. Shortcomings in Spain's waste management.
C 203 E/62 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 18. 7. 2000 (2000/C 203 E/075) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1834/99 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission Subject: Operational programme on fisheries in Greece (13 October 1999) The operational programme on fisheries in Greece includes four subprogrammes, together with a fifth concerning technical aid. Since each of the subprogrammes 1-4 has been given a timetable, will the Commission say: 1. What is the state of implementation of the subprogrammes so far and which actions have made progress in each subprogramme? 2. Has there been any delay in take-up and, if so, what are the main reasons for this delay? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (18 November 1999) The form of this programme was amended after the Commission Decision. The new presentation has 1. nine areas of assistance instead of the five subprogrammes originally planned. The table sent direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliamentís Secretariat contains a detailed analysis of the progress of this programme in terms of both commitments and payments made. The trend of the data concerning this operational programme suggests that by the end of 1999 the 2. Greek authorities should be able to achieve the objectives of the programme as regards commitments and that by the end of 2001 it should prove possible to complete the measures for the fisheries sector so that the physical and financial goals of this programme too are achieved. (2000/C 203 E/076) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1839/99 by María Sornosa Martínez (PSE) to the Commission Subject: Shortcomings in Spainís waste management (13 October 1999) Three months have now passed since the European Commission decided to take Spain to the European Court of Justice for failure to comply with the Community directives relating to waste management. In a communication issued in July, the Commission stated that the case was being brought because, on the one hand, they had not officially received the national plan for municipal waste management and, on the other hand, there were serious deficiencies in the plan regarding dangerous waste products that was drawn up by the relevant Spanish authority. According to the Commission communication, the plan was highly imprecise with regard to facilities for waste disposal and to the specific provisions covering certain types of waste. Could the Commission provide a progress report on the aforementioned case at the European Court of Justice? Could the Commission state whether or not it intends to implement measures running parallel to the court proceedings in order to press the Spanish authorities into prompt compliance with the Community directives, especially bearing in mind the serious environmental consequences that can result from non- compliance with directives covering the management of dangerous waste products? 18. 7. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 203 E/63 Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission (8 December 1999) The Commission is currently drawing up the draft application it will be lodging with the Court of Justice under the infringement proceedings the Honourable Member is referring to. Other than the abovementioned judicial procedure the Commission has no means in law of intervening usefully with the Spanish authorities. (2000/C 203 E/077) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1842/99 by William Newton Dunn (PPE-DE) to the Commission Subject: Amount of financial compensation for loss of office (13 October 1999) How much financial compensation was paid to the outgoing Commissioners who resigned in March 1999: 1. 2. 3. to those who did not return? to the four who returned as Commissioners in September 1999? to those who were elected as MEPs in June 1999? Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (26 November 1999) 1. and 3. Sixteen commissioners terminated their office. Two of those took up positions as elected members of the Parliament. All of the 16 retired commissioners receive a monthly transitional allowance. This allowance is based on the duration of their office at the Commission according to Article 7 of Regulation No 422/67/EEC, 5/67 Euratom of the Council of 25 July 1967 determining the emoluments of the President and members of the Commission and of the President, Judges, Advocates-General and Registrar of the Court of justice (1) and subsequent amendments, which stipulates that: For three years from the first day of the month following that in which the ex-member of the Commission ceases to hold office, he or she receives a monthly transitional allowance determined in accordance with the following procedure: ü 40 % of the basic salary which he/she was receiving when he/she ceased to hold office if his/her period of service is less than 2 years; ü 45 % of the same salary if the period is over 2 years but less than 3 years; ü 50 % of the same salary if the period is over 3 years but less than 5 years; ü 55 % of the same salary if the period is over 5 years but less than 10 years: ü 60 % of the same salary if the period is over 10 years but less than 15 years; ü 65 % of the same salary in other cases. Entitlement to this allowance shall cease if the former member of the Commission is appointed to office in the Commission or the Court of Auditors or upon his/her death. In the event of such appointment, the allowance shall be paid up to the date of taking up his/her duties; in the event of death the payment for the month in which death occurred shall be the last. Furthermore in case of election as member of the Parliament, the accumulation rule applies (Article 7 paragraph 3 of the Regulation)