Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2001-03-13-Speech-2-228"
| Predicate | Value (sorted: default) |
|---|---|
| rdf:type | |
| dcterms:Date | |
| dcterms:Is Part Of | |
| dcterms:Language | |
| lpv:document identification number |
"en.20010313.15.2-228"2
|
| lpv:hasSubsequent | |
| lpv:speaker | |
| lpv:spoken text |
"Mr President, the overall aim in amending Directive 90/313/EEC on access to information on the environment is to enable the Community and Member States to comply with certain provisions of the Aarhus Convention on access to information, public participation and decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters.
In Ireland, we have already incorporated the general provisions including, of course, the original Directive 90/313/EEC, in our national regulations and our freedom of information legislation.
I should like to raise a few points with which we might have difficulty. In general I agree with the provisions of Amendment No 15, relating to Article 2(2) and the definition of 'public authority'. I have no substantive problems with that amendment, but I am concerned that some parties might attempt to revert to the original proposal from the Commission on 2(2)(c), which refers to "the operation of services of general economic interest which affect or are likely to affect …". If this were to be agreed – if, in other words, we revert to the original Commission position – it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to transpose into national regulations. It would probably result in bodies which are not public authorities being brought in to have a level playing field, competitively speaking. In Ireland, for example, Telecom Éireann, which is now eircom, would be included as a former public authority. We would then have to bring in private-sector telecoms and other telecom operations. This does not fit in with the interpretation of Aarhus, so it could present problems.
The time limit proposed in Amendment No 16 on Article 3(2)(a) is unreasonable. As this directive applies to all documents in the environment area, in many cases the files might be in storage off-site and perhaps not computerised. The Commission proposal to deliver "as soon as possible or, at the latest, within one month" is reasonable. It is a 50% reduction on the current position and is in line with existing Irish freedom of information provisions.
Finally, I have problems with Amendment No 24. There must be discretion on the provision for charges, subject, of course, to publication and including time for searches, particularly when there are repeated requests for information. I would urge that we go down that road, leaving discretion on the publication of charges."@en1
|
| lpv:spokenAs | |
| lpv:unclassifiedMetadata |
Named graphs describing this resource:
The resource appears as object in 2 triples