WRITTEN QUESTION E-0463/00 by Avril Doyle (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Legal challenges to the extension of An Post's contract to issue social welfare payments in Ireland.
28. 12. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 374 E/81 (2000/C 374 E/094) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0463/00 by Avril Doyle (PPE-DE) to the Commission (24 February 2000) Subject: Legal challenges to the extension of An Postís contract to issue social welfare payments in Ireland Bearing in mind the legal challenges made by a firm of Dublin-based solicitors (1) to the extension of An Postís contract to issue social welfare payments in Ireland, and the importance of such a service to the viability of rural post offices and rural communities, would the Commission outline the current status of the legal challenges, give an approximate date when the proceedings will be concluded, and make a statement on the matter? (1) McCann Fitzgerald Solicitors, on behalf of Transaction Network Services, Dublin. Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (4 April 2000) The Commission has received a complaint pursuant to Article 86 (ex-Article 90) in conjunction with Articles 43, 49 and 82 (ex-Articles 52, 59 and 86) of the EC Treaty. The complaint is directed against the decision of the Irish Government to extend the existing contract for the delivery of payment services for social welfare payments in Ireland held by An Post, the state owned monopoly provider of postal services, for a further three year period, starting as from 1 January 2000. The complaint raises both competition aspects and internal market aspects. The Commission has not yet taken a position on the complaint. To that end further information is required and the Commission has therefore sent recently a request for information both to the complainant and to the Irish Government. Depending on the information provided by the parties the outcome of the case may either be a letter of formal notice to the Irish Government or a rejection of the complaint. The Commission will take action without undue delay after receipt of the requested information. (2000/C 374 E/095) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0465/00 by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Commission (24 February 2000) Subject: Commission policy on implementation of the EU budget for 2000 in respect of the promotion and safeguard of regional and minority languages The two EU budgetary authorities, Parliament and the Council, have decided to set aside a number of for 2000 to promote and safeguard regional and minority headings under the Community budget languages. To be more precise, it has been indicated that line B3-1000 (Cooperation in the fields of education and of youth policy), to which the sum of EUR 4,5 million has been earmarked, aims in particular to support actions to promote and safeguard minority languages in the Community. Will the Commission say exactly how much of the sum of EUR 4,5 million is to be earmarked for the protection and safeguard of minority languages in the Community? What procedure will it be pursuing with a view to implementing the aforementioned budget line? When does it intend to begin accepting applications for specific projects which may be eligible for funding to promote and safeguard minority languages?