EU Legislation, Initiatives, etc.
EU News: The European Commission adopted a new strategy for encouraging the use of green infrastructure and for ensuring that the enhancement of natural processes becomes a systematic part of spatial planning.
Green Infrastructure is a tried & tested tool that uses nature to provide ecological, economic & social benefits. Instead of building flood protection infrastructure, for example, a green infrastructure solution would be to allow a natural wetland to absorb the excess water from heavy rain.
EU News: Ireland’s Minister for Health, Dr James Reilly, TD, has welcomed the life saving agreement reached by the Irish Presidency on the Decision on Serious Cross Border Threats to Health. The Decision is a priority for the Irish Presidency in the Public Health field and forms part of the Presidency Programme.
The Decision will help Member States prepare for and protect citizens against possible future pandemics & environmental disasters. It strengthens risk preparedness & response planning, improves access to vaccines for Member States and will result in clearer risk & crisis communication to the public & healthcare professionals.
A crucial aspect of the agreement is the establishment of a legal basis for the coordination of vaccine procurement across the EU. This will provide more equitable access to vaccines at fairer prices - a development particularly welcome for smaller Member States who simply could not afford the exorbitant prices charged during recent pandemics.
EU News: Draft rules to make it easier for national authorities to freeze & confiscate criminals' assets across the EU were beefed up by the Civil Liberties Committee on Tuesday. However, MEPs also sought to safeguard the right to a fair trial.
They also called upon member states to use confiscated assets to fight crime and for social projects. The draft law, which must still be negotiated with national governments, is part of a broader EU strategy to fight fraud & corruption.
They also called upon member states to use confiscated assets to fight crime and for social projects. The draft law, which must still be negotiated with national governments, is part of a broader EU strategy to fight fraud & corruption.
EU News: A provisional deal on updated watercraft rules to make them safer & greener was struck by MEPs and Irish EU presidency negotiators last Wednesday. It also scraps the misleading names of boat design categories in order to give consumers clearer information.
The updated EU rules on the safety & environmental performance of recreational craft and personal watercraft cover vessels between 2.5 & 24 meters in length, such as motor boats, sailing yachts and water scooters.
The updated EU rules on the safety & environmental performance of recreational craft and personal watercraft cover vessels between 2.5 & 24 meters in length, such as motor boats, sailing yachts and water scooters.
The provisionally agreed text still needs be formally approved by the Council's Committee of Permanent Representatives and Parliament's Internal Market Committee. The committee will probably vote on the deal in June 2013, paving the way for a plenary vote, probably in September 2013.
EU News: ‘3 years after it became legally binding, the impact of the European Union’s Charter of Fundamental Rights is increasingly clear. It is becoming a point of reference not only for the EU institutions when drawing up legislation but also for the European and national courts, making fundamental rights a reality for citizens in Europe’.
These are the findings of the third annual report on the application of the Charter, covering 2012, which illustrates with a wide range of fundamental rights related cases that the EU is continuing to build a more coherent system for protecting people’s fundamental rights.
EU News: Staff teams from the European Commission (EC), European Central Bank (ECB), and International Monetary Fund (IMF) visited Dublin during April 23rd – May 2nd, 2013 for the tenth review of the government’s economic programme and met with a range of stakeholders.
Ireland’s programme remains on track, the gradual recovery is continuing and there have been further improvements in market conditions for the sovereign and the banks. Mission teams discussed policies for the tenth review, completion of which is subject to EU and IMF approval processes. Teams also discussed with the Irish authorities preparations for programme exit.
PC&PE: More of the funds held by institutional investors would be invested in energy projects if there was a clear EU policy about how to deliver secure, affordable and low carbon energy, says the House of Lords EU Sub-Committee for Agriculture, Fisheries, Environment and Energy in its report, published recently.
