WRITTEN QUESTION E-0237/00 by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Enforcement of inspection for ships.
C 330 E/108 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 21. 11. 2000 (2000/C 330 E/120) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0237/00 by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission (7 February 2000) Subject: Enforcement of inspection for ships What measures have been taken to ensure that all Member States are meeting their commitments under Article 5 of Council Directive 95/21/EC (1) of 19 June 1995 to ensure that at least 25 % of the ships entering their ports are inspected, and are there any plans to increase the number of structural inspections of ships, especially of those registered under a flag state with a poor record in meeting its international obligations in this area? (1) OJ L 157, 7. 7. 1995, p. 1. Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission (22 March 2000) The Commission is monitoring Member Statesí efforts to meet their commitments regarding the inspection of ships. Compliance with the requirement of at least 25 % laid down in Council Directive 95/21/EC of 19 June 1995 concerning the enforcement, in respect of shipping using Community ports and sailing in the waters under the jurisdiction of the Member States, of international standards for ship safety, pollution prevention and shipboard living and working conditions (port state control) (1), cannot be assessed until the Directive has been transposed into national law and been in force for at least a year. Delays in the transposition of the Directive have also held up the assessment. The provisions of Directive 95/21/EC have now been tranposed into national law by all the Member States except Italy on 24 November 1999. Fresh infringement proceedings have been brought against this Member State for failing to comply with the Courtís judgment. Justice ruled against Italy. The Court of The Commission has noted that, on the whole, the requirement of at least 25 % is being met in the Community. However, it also noted that in 1999 some Member States were significantly below this figure. If this continues in 2000, it intends to bring infringement proceedings against those Member States whose competent authority does not carry out a total number of inspections corresponding to at least 25 % of the number of individual ships which enter their ports during a representative calendar year under the conditions laid down in Article 5 of Directive 95/21/EC. Generally, the Commission takes the view that the Erika disaster has drawn attention to the need for more thorough inspections in Community ports. It is preparing a draft communication on the safety of oil tankers, which includes inter alia a proposal amending Directive 95/21/EC on port state control. The measures planned will take account of the flag Statesí safety record and the need to pay greater attention to structural aspects. (1) OJ L 157, 7. 7. 1995. (2000/C 330 E/121) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0243/00 by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission (7 February 2000) Subject: Building of car parks at Piazza Vescovio and Via Moricone in Rome The Rome local authorities have started building two large car parks, one in Piazza Vescovio, with 92 spaces, and another in Via Moricone, with around 100 spaces. The areas concerned are geologically unstable because of the existence of caves, catacombs, old pozzolana pits and underground waters and therefore pose a potential danger to residents and to many buildings in the area. In addition, Piazza Vescovio has recently been undergoing renovation work