WRITTEN QUESTION P-2575/99 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Lack of infrastructures and facilities at Patras Port.
19. 6. 2001 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 174 E/1 I (Information) EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER (2001/C 174 E/001) WRITTEN QUESTION P-2575/99 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission Subject: Lack of infrastructures and facilities at Patras Port (16 December 1999) The recent tragic accident involving the passenger ship Superfast III in which 12 people died in a fire which broke out 14 nautical miles from Patras Port has highlighted the chronic problems facing this port. The very poor infrastructures and facilities pose a threat to the health and safety of passengers and hamper passenger embarkation, disembarkation and control procedures as well as basic control procedures on freight vehicles. In view of the above, will the Commission say: 1. Does it intend to demand that the Greek Government take immediate action to improve Patras Port facilities for the benefit of passengers, especially given that Greece receives Community funding for the improvement of ports, funding which however is usually channelled solely into the freight sector? 2. Does it know why the relevant Greek ministry has failed to carry out improvements to Patras Port facilities, as the Commission had suggested on the basis of proposals made in studies carried out by the relevant service in the port of Dover and, if not, does it intend to seek clarification on this point? Even though Directive 1999/35 (1) becomes mandatory for the Member States only on 1 December 3. 2000, does the Commission intend to ask the Greek Government as a gesture of goodwill to publish the findings of the inquiry into the Superfast III tragedy and to forward a copy to the Commission, in accordance with Article 12 of the above directive? 4. Does the Commission have any proposals for improving the basic safety and health infrastructures for passengers at other ports in Greece (Piraeus, Igoumenitsa, the ports of various islands, etc. ) and what commitments will it ask the Greek Government to provide in this connection? (1) OJ L 138, 1. 6. 1999, p. 1. Supplementary answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission (1 February 2001) Apart from the obligations for the Member State to take the requisite measures in order to comply with Council Directive 1999/35/EC of 29 April 1999 on a system of mandatory surveys for the safe operation of regular ro-ro ferry and high-speed passenger craft services (1), the Commission has no powers to oblige a Member State to take specific actions concerning ports. Member States can, however, ask for Community including ports. This co-funding is based on Decision funding for projects of common interest, C 174 E/2 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 19. 6. 2001 No 1692/96/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 1996 on Community guidelines for the development of the Trans-European transport network (TEN-T) (2). Greece has never submitted a proposal concerning the existing port of Patras under Community financial aid in the field of TEN-T. However, the construction of a new port in Patras is underway and being co- financed by both the Community support framework (CSF) for Greece during the 1994-1999 program- ming period and the Community Initiative Interreg. This project, which will be completed with co-funding from the CSF for the current 2000-2006 period, fully takes into account the required safety standards. Concerning the safety aspect in Community ports, the Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to his Written Question E-2530/99 (3). The Commission is prepared to ask the Greek government to make available the report resulting from the investigation into the accident involving the ferry Superfast III, in accordance with the provisions of Article 12 (5) of the Council Directive mentioned above. In general, projects involving ports which are carried out with Community co-funding should improve efficiency and safety in the transport of passengers and goods, given that those projects have to comply with the required safety standards. (1) OJ L 138, 1. 6. 1999. (2) OJ L 228, 9. 9. 1996 modified in OJ L 15 of 17. 1. 1997. (3) OJ C 280 E, 3. 10. 2000. (2001/C 174 E/002) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2783/99 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (18 January 2000) Subject: Shortcomings of public works in Greece In its answer (P-2120/98) (1) to my question concerning compliance with quality standards in public works in Greece (E-2592/98) (2), the Commission pointed out that the first ESPEL (special quality control council) quarterly report found that problems of the kind mentioned do exist and stressed that it áexpects this matter to make rapid progress and hopes that any financial, disciplinary, penal or other consequences for those responsible will have a dissuasive effect in the future and will result in lasting improvements to the situation as regards qualityí. It also noted that, depending on their seriousness, the shortcomings suffered by the projects would either have to be corrected by the contractors, or the costs involved would be deducted from their payments, or else the projects would have to be rebuilt at the contractorsí own expense. Given that ESPEL recently forwarded to the services of the Ministry for Economic Affairs reports on 44 public works, of which it transpires that only four projects meet all the necessary standards: 1. Will the Commission say what progress has been made in each case in dealing with the shortcomings mentioned in its answer, on which it expected árapid progressí to be made? 2. What information does it have on further shortcomings and what measures does it intend to take? (1) OJ C 135, 14. 5. 1999, p. 16. (2) OJ C 31, 5. 2. 1999, p. 151