WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1496/98 by Richard CORBETT to the Commission. Discrimination on the ground of sexual orientation
11. 12. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 386/137 (98/C 386/190) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1478/98 by Iæigo MØndez de Vigo (PPE) to the Commission (13 May 1998) Subject: Activities of dental surgeons Can the Commission report on the stage reached in the infringement proceedings initiated against the Kingdom of Spain on the grounds of failure to comply with Directive 78/687/EEC (1)? (1) OJ L 233, 24. 8. 1978, p. 10. Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (15 June 1998) The Commission initiated infringement proceedings in connection with the recognition by Spain of dentistsí diplomas obtained in third countries and which do not comply with the minimum training requirements set out in Council Directive 78/687/EEC of 25 July 1978 concerning the coordination of provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in respect of the activities of dental practitioners. On the basis of the reply to the reasoned opinion and of the additional information received from the Spanish authorities, the Commission decided on 10 December 1996 to initiate proceedings before the Court of Justice. However, on the basis of information subsequently provided by the Spanish authorities and concerning in particular recent case-law of the Spanish Supreme Court, which handed down an interpretation of the international agreements on the recognition of diplomas which is in line with Community law, the Commission decided on 10 December 1997 to stay proceedings before the Court of Justice. (98/C 386/191) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1496/98 by Richard Corbett (PSE) to the Commission (13 May 1998) Subject: Discrimination on the ground of sexual orientation Following the ECJ judgment in the case of Grant-v-South West Trains (Case C-249/96), does the Commission intend to introduce legislation outlawing discrimination based on sexual orientation as soon as the Treaty of Amsterdam enters into force? Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (12 June 1998) The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to written question No E-756/98 by Mrs Ojala (1). (1) See page 40