228 Most Recent Stories From Liberal Democrat Members of the European Parliament

Wed 3rd Sep 2008:

EU court delivers landmark 'Kadi' judgment on fundamental rights.

The annulment by the EU's top court of an EU regulation which rubber-stamped a UN blacklisting decision by freezing the assets of alleged terrorists without information, redress or appeal represents a landmark in the development of European fundamental rights.  Commenting on the ruling concerning Yassin Abdullah Kadi and the Swedish-registered Al Barakaat International Foundation, Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP, Liberal Democrat European Justice and Human Rights Spokeswoman, said: “This marks the coming of age of a European Union which really does guarantee fundamental rights instead of just talking about them. I look forward to the ECJ getting full jurisdiction regarding security matters so that European citizens are better protected from abuses of human rights and civil liberties. “The fight against terrorism is difficult, but if we erode our fundamental freedoms in the process, we simply destroy the values we are battling to protect. Suspected terrorists must be brought to justice on the basis of a fair trial and normal rights of defence."   addthis_pub = 'mplusw';

Tue 2nd Sep 2008:

Tory opposition to stronger EU prosecution capacity undermines their anti-crime claims.

The European Parliament has endorsed plans to strengthen the ability of the EU's 'Eurojust' body of national prosecutors from the 27 countries - chaired until 2007 by the UK's Michael Kennedy, now boss of the Crown Prosecution Service - to coordinate prosecutions for serious and organised transnational crime.   British Conservatives however are opposed, as they were to the successful European Arrest Warrant, which has speeded up cross-border extradition. Commenting, Baroness Sarah Ludford, Liberal Democrat European Justice Spokeswoman, said: "EU police and judicial cooperation is increasingly successful, notably through the European Arrest Warrant, which saw one of the July 2005 bombers brought swiftly back to UK justice from Italy. The powers of Eurojust need to keep up with the ever-increasing mobility and communication of criminals. MEPs are also right to insist that the fight against child pornography and paedophile abuse should be a top Eurojust priority. "Tory opposition to this strengthening of the EU capacity to put major criminals behind bars shows up the hypocrisy and hot air of their bluster about 'law 'n order'. It is impossible to tackle cross-border serious crime successfully while torpedoing EU cooperation." The present proposal is for an improvement in Eurojust's operational capacity by setting up an Emergency Coordination Cell to work 24/7 and enable it to intervene in urgent cases. It will also give national police/prosecutor representatives at Eurojust more powers, including the ability to issue search and seizure warrants in their own Member state and allow them to access their national criminal databases for Eurojust investigations. Sarah Ludford is backing this plan but calls in addition for an equivalent effort to better protect defendants in cross-border cases: "As Eurojust prosecutors acquire more investigative powers and access to personal information, it is also important to ensure appropriately stronger protection of personal data and defendants' rights and address the problems encountered by defendants and defence lawyers in the light of the growth of European criminal justice legislation and cooperation. Where European prosecutors cooperate across borders, European defence lawyers should do so as well, and we need to examine whether a 'Eurodefence' body may be needed."

Plans to eliminate VAT fraud backed by European Parliament.

The European Parliament has backed a report by Sharon Bowles MEP (UK, Lib Dem) that aims to break the prolonged EU deadlock over fighting VAT fraud. The report's key recommendation is to levy VAT of 15% on all cross-border EU trade on goods and services. Under the proposals, Member States would charge a top up rate to bring the total VAT charge in line with current levels within their own countries. For example, the UK which has a VAT rate of 17.5% would charge 2.5% on all imports under the new system. The 15% levied by the exporting Member State would also be paid to the UK. Commenting on the vote, Sharon said: "Member States alone cannot deal with tax fraud because fraudsters are exploiting cross border loopholes. Only through the EU can a solution be found and it is clear by the overwhelming majority that backed the report today that this issue has transcended political and geographical boundaries. Clearly, many people have been motivated by the sheer loss of revenue that fiscal fraud causes governments every year. The total annual loss, estimated at around EUR 200-250 billion, is double the annual budget of the European Union. Fiscal fraud costs 2.5% of GDP and a huge chunk of the tax base. If any politician here or in a Member State campaigned on the basis of putting up tax by 5% to pay for nothing they would not get very far, but that is what tax fraud costs the honest taxpayer and why politicians must act. "VAT fraud alone is said by the European Commission to cost exchequers EUR 40bn (£31bn) a year, roughly the same as the EU spends on the Common Agricultural Policy. In the United Kingdom, HM Revenue and Customs estimate that in the tax year 2005-2006 VAT revenue losses amounted to £14.4 bn. "It is now for the European Council to stop dragging its feet and show genuine political will in achieving the elimination of such costly fraud. We need greater trust between national administrative authorities when it comes to sharing information on fiscal fraud, and a real will to change the cross border VAT system. This is simply not a problem that can be solved at member State level and it is for this reason why I am highlighting it as a priority for the EU."

EU anti-discrimination proposals welcomed by MEPs.

The eagerly awaited European Commission proposal for a new anti-discrimination directive has been welcomed by the MEP who together with colleagues and NGOs fought the objections of some EU Member States and called on the Commission to honour its plans.    Promised by the Commission in its 2008 Work Programme, the directive will outlaw discrimination in access to goods and services covering all areas presently excluded, including disability, age, religion or belief and sexual orientation.  Liberal Democrat Liz Lynne MEP whose own-initiative report on the need for the new directive was adopted by the European Parliament earlier this year, said the proposals were not perfect, but very welcome, in a debate on the EU’s new social package in Brussels today. She added:  “For years I have campaigned with others for comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation to outlaw discrimination in access to goods and services for disabled people and older people. For years, we were promised action and then nothing happened. “Today we can say that we are on the brink of achieving that legislation, not just covering age and disability but also sexual orientation and religion as I called for in my recent report. I would like to thank the Commission for bringing it forward and Commissioner Spidla particularly for his tenacity. “The proposed legislation is not perfect, we know, and we will want to see some changes. It would have also been better if it had been subject to co-decision. “But having said that I am delighted to be able to stand here and say that we are at long last on our way to seeing all EU citizens treated equally. “However there is still a long way to go, we still have to convince all Member States. The European Union was founded on the basis of equality and human rights and I find it amazing that anyone could possibly object to putting in place legislation to protect everyone’s rights to be treated equally. “I know many Member States already have similar legislation so I can’t understand why those very same Member States would try to block this proposal.”    Notes to Editors: Text of Liz Lynne’s report as adopted by the European Parliament last month; http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A6-2008-0159&language=EN ; Current EU anti-discrimination laws prohibit discrimination in the workplace on all grounds (Employment Directive 2000) but only provides protection against discrimination in access to goods and services on the basis of gender and race (Equal Treatment Directive and the Race Directive respectively).  Liz Lynne’s campaign and petition to persuade the Commission and member States to press ahead with a horizontal directive can be found here: www.signtostopdiscrimination.org

Fri 29th Aug 2008:

Summer of discontent - By Andrew Duff - FT.com.

The European Union ends the summer in some anguish. On 30 July, the Doha Round collapsed. Much to the evident frustration of the European Commission, the Council of Ministers failed to back the compromise proposal from WTO director general Pascal Lamy for a special safeguard mechanism to protect the interests of certain developing countries. France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland and Lithuania led the faction in the Council of Ministers which scuppered the mandate of the EU’s chief negotiator Peter Mandelson. The effective end of these complex multilateral trade negotiations is indeed, as Messrs Lamy and Mandelson say, a collective failure by the global community. But the recriminations inside the EU, which is supposed to have a common commercial policy, will continue to poison the atmosphere in Brussels and, more pointedly, to mar the Union’s attempt to shift spending away from agricultural support towards industrial productivity. Georgia has added to the Union’s woes. It was entirely predictable that Poland and the Baltic states would lead the charge against the Russian incursion, and that the older member states, notably France and Germany, would be critical of Mr Saakashvili’s adventurism. The emergency meeting of the European Council which is to take place in Brussels on 1 September will have to consider how to resolve these differences. One hopes for a sense of proportion compassionate about the victims of war but dispassionate about its outcome. That a resurgent, nationalist Russia should seek to adjust its borders in the Caucasus is hardly unexpected; nor, according to the principle of self-determination, could it finally be opposed on democratic grounds. Mr Putin’s aggressive policies are not without adverse consequences for Russia itself, whose society is already poor, ill and ageing, and whose military, exposed to the limelight in Georgia, did not seem really to have re-equipped itself since the collapse of the USSR in 1991. Tight comparisons with the Soviet period are false: Mr Stalin, unlike Mr Putin, did not have to worry about the global financial markets. The West should not forget that the Cold War has been won. It is in this context that the European Union should develop a new strategy for its dealings with Russia. It will have to justify its own claims that bipolar ’spheres of influence’ in Europe are consigned to history by taking affirmative action in the Black Sea and Caucasus region just as it has done in the Balkans. As the European Council on Foreign Relations says, the EU must cooperate with the Russians or consider sanctions. ’It cannot do both.’ * European troops will be needed to police the ceasefire in Georgia and to give space and time for conflict resolution efforts to work under the auspices of the OSCE. The armed forces of France and the UK are already over-stretched elsewhere. It is now up to other EU member states notably Germany to make meaningful military commitment to European security. Accession state Turkey should be very much included in this campaign. EU-Nato relations come centre stage. President Sarkozy’s decision to reintegrate France’s military with Nato, the end of the Bush presidency in the US, and Nato’s 60th anniversary summit next spring is the best opportunity and possibly the last for Nato to review its fundamental mission and organisation. Review is not only necessary because Nato risks failure in Afghanistan, but also because of the emergence, for the first time, of the EU’s complementary efforts to build a security and defence dimension of its own. Whatever other conclusions are to be drawn from the Georgian war, Nato has to come to terms with the fact that its automatic further expansion eastwards will not be taken for granted by European public opinion. The EU badly needs to distinguish itself from Nato by counselling a halt to both Georgian and Ukrainian pretensions to Nato membership. If Nato is worth saving, it is worth keeping strong: membership of Georgia and the Ukraine would not contribute to its strength, at least for the foreseeable future. Both countries would be better off engaging more directly and deeply with the EU as its own neighbourhood policy and security strategy are fine-tuned in 2008-09. The third division of opinion among EU partners remains, inevitably, the Treaty of Lisbon. The Georgian crisis puts into sharp relief the refusal of Ireland, in its 12 June referendum, to ratify the new treaty among whose principal features is the foundation of a security and defence dimension to the European Union. Another prize of Lisbon is the extension of the Union’s legal competence into the supply side of energy, which even by itself requires a more sophisticated EU policy about the Caucasus than we have seen hitherto. Faced with Europe’s dramatic security crisis, the Irish position looks increasingly preposterous. Viewed from the perspective of Gori or Tskhinvali, Irish misgivings about neutrality rather pale into insignificance. Lisbon gives the European Union the wherewithal to do good in world affairs. If Ireland really wants to play no part in that effort, it should say so and depart. And Poland’s President Kaczynski, so keen to sign up to the missile defence treaty with the Americans, should immediately keep faith with his European colleagues and complete his country’s ratification process of the Treaty of Lisbon. Nicolas Sarkozy has had one notable success during his term as president of the EU in the balanced way he has dealt with the Georgian crisis. Doha is one notable failure. His biggest test of all is Lisbon and that is still to come. Andrew Duff leads the UK Liberal Democrats in the European Parliament. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2008  

The Week Ahead 1-7 September 2008.

Plenary session – Brussels Russia/Georgia. EP President Hans-Gert Pöttering will address EU leaders at Monday’s special summit and hold a press conference (1530 Justus Lipsius Building). Immediately after the summit, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner will present its conclusions to MEPs in the plenary, during a debate also including the Commission (Monday). Parliament will then vote on a resolution on the situation in Georgia (Wednesday). Telecom package. Changes to telecom regulation, covering radio spectrum allocation, internet access and consumer protection among other things, are set to be debated at first reading (debate Tuesday, vote September II session). Social policy. The European Commission will present its proposals on labour rights, anti-discrimination and other areas of social policy in a debate with MEPs (Tuesday). Product labelling. Revised rules on how packaging should indicate chemicals present in products come to first reading (debate and vote Wednesday). EP/Costa Rica. Oscar Arias, President of Costa Rica and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987, will address MEPs in a formal sitting, then take part in a press conference with President Pöttering. (Wednesday) Gender equality. A report from the Women’s Rights Committee considers the impact of marketing and advertising on male-female equality. The Committee’s annual report on gender equality is also on the agenda (debate Tuesday, vote Wednesday). Animal cloning. MEPs will discuss with the Commission whether animal cloning should be allowed in food production (debate Tuesday, vote on resolution Wednesday). Maritime package. Away from the plenary, the Transport Committee will vote on a series of legislative reports on changes to EU rules governing the shipping industry (Thursday). EP/Serbia. President Pöttering will meet the President of Serbia, Boris Tadic (Wednesday). To read the whole agenda 

Elspeth Attwooll's monthly column.

August is a month on which it is difficult to report, since – the last few days apart – the Parliament is not in operation and we are free to take our summer break. I had a really enjoyable fortnight plus on Arran, despite the amount of rain that fell. It can’t have been entirely non-stop, as I have managed to come back with a wee bit of a tan. By the end of the third week it was back into work mode, with a seminar on culture and the role of policy makers as part of the Festival of Politics and the official Edinburgh Festival on the Friday and the Marymass Festival in Irvine on the Saturday. The seminar was both interesting and thought-provoking and I was particularly pleased that a hobby-horse of mine – the importance of their language to people’s sense of identity – generated considerable discussion. As well as being thoroughly entertaining in its own right, the Marymass festival offered a practical slant on the seminar theme, in learning about the traditions behind the crowning of the Marymass Queen and the history of the Irvine Carters’ Society, taking part in the civic procession up to the moor and seeing the horse races and other events that formed part of the day. Come the Monday, yet a different aspect of culture – attending one of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama’s contributions to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe: a new musical called “Whisky Kisses”. The performance more than compensated for having to take a very early flight to Brussels the next morning, in time for meetings of our political group, followed by the Fisheries Committee. Normally, the group meetings would be in a preparation for a following Strasbourg week. But (shades of Holyrood) part of the debating chamber ceiling has fallen in. So we shall be holding our plenary session in Brussels instead. There is another due at the end of September. At the moment it is expected that the repairs shall be done in time to return to Strasbourg. Those of us who find it very time consuming to get there and who believe that having two seats for the Parliament is a waste of taxpayers’ money are not urgent to do so, delightful though the city is as a tourist destination. On any issues that you wish to raise, contact me at Centrum Offices, 3rd Floor, 38 Queen Street, Glasgow, G1 3DX, phone 0141 243 2421 or email info@elspethattwoollmep.org.uk  

Elspeth Attwooll monthly column.

August is a month on which it is difficult to report, since – the last few days apart – the Parliament is not in operation and we are free to take our summer break. I had a really enjoyable fortnight plus on Arran, despite the amount of rain that fell. It can’t have been entirely non-stop, as I have managed to come back with a wee bit of a tan. By the end of the third week it was back into work mode, with a seminar on culture and the role of policy makers as part of the Festival of Politics and the official Edinburgh Festival on the Friday and the Marymass Festival in Irvine on the Saturday. The seminar was both interesting and thought-provoking and I was particularly pleased that a hobby-horse of mine – the importance of their language to people’s sense of identity – generated considerable discussion. As well as being thoroughly entertaining in its own right, the Marymass festival offered a practical slant on the seminar theme, in learning about the traditions behind the crowning of the Marymass Queen and the history of the Irvine Carters’ Society, taking part in the civic procession up to the moor and seeing the horse races and other events that formed part of the day. Come the Monday, yet a different aspect of culture – attending one of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama’s contributions to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe: a new musical called “Whisky Kisses”. The performance more than compensated for having to take a very early flight to Brussels the next morning, in time for meetings of our political group, followed by the Fisheries Committee. Normally, the group meetings would be in a preparation for a following Strasbourg week. But (shades of Holyrood) part of the debating chamber ceiling has fallen in. So we shall be holding our plenary session in Brussels instead. There is another due at the end of September. At the moment it is expected that the repairs shall be done in time to return to Strasbourg. Those of us who find it very time consuming to get there and who believe that having two seats for the Parliament is a waste of taxpayers’ money are not urgent to do so, delightful though the city is as a tourist destination. On any issues that you wish to raise, contact me at Centrum Offices, 3rd Floor, 38 Queen Street, Glasgow, G1 3DX, phone 0141 243 2421 or email info@elspethattwoollmep.org.uk  

Thu 28th Aug 2008:

Plenary Session 1-7 September 2008.

Plenary agenda Monday 01/09/2008 17:00 - 23:00 Brussels   17.00 - 23.00     - Resumption of part-session and order of business   - One-minute speeches (Rule 144)   - Joint debate - Justice: * - European Judicial Network - Report by Sylvia-Yvonne KAUFMANN (GUE/NGL, DE) * - Strengthening of Eurojust and amendment of Decision 2002/187/JHA  - Report by Renate WEBER (ALDE, RO) * - Application of the principle of mutual recognition to judgments in criminal matters  - Report by Armando FRANÇA (PES, PT)       ***I - Application of the principle of mutual recognition to judgments in criminal matters - Debate on report by Mihael BREJC (EPP-ED, SI)   - Evaluation of the Dublin system - Debate on report by Jean LAMBERT (Greens/EFA, UK)   - Common frame of reference for European contract law - Oral question to the Commission, followed by debate   - Certain issues relating to motor insurance - Debate on report by Nickolay MLADENOV (EPP-ED, BG)   - Co-ordinated strategy to improve the fight against fiscal fraud - Debate on report by Sharon BOWLES (ALDE, UK)     19.30 (or after conclusion of European Council meeting)     - Situation in Georgia - Council and Commission statements, followed by debate Tuesday 02/09/2008 09:00 - 23:59 Brussels   9.00 - 11.50       Social package  - Council and Commission statements   12.00 - 13.00       Votes, including:     Rule 43(2) ***I   - Youth in Action programme - Report by Katerina BATZELI (PES, EL) ***I   - Culture Programme (2007-2013) - Report by Katerina BATZELI (PES, EL) ***I   - ‘Europe for Citizens’ programme (2007-2013) - Report by Katerina BATZELI (PSE, EL) ***I   Action programme in the field of lifelong learning - Report by Katerina BATZELI (PES, EL)     Pursuant to Rule 43(1) *   - Conclusion of the Protocol to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the EC and Uzbekistan, to take account of the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the EU - Report by Jacek SARYUSZ-WOLSKI (EPP-ED, PL) *   - Conclusion of the Protocol to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the EC and Kyrgyzstan, to take account of the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the EU - Report by Jacek SARYUSZ-WOLSKI (EPP-ED, PL) *   - Conclusion of the Protocol to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the EC and Tajikistan, to take account of the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the EU - Report by Jacek SARYUSZ-WOLSKI (EPP-ED, PL) *   - Separate liability of Montenegro with regard to the long-term loans to Serbia and Montenegro (formerly the Republic of Yugoslavia) - Report by Helmuth MARKOV (GUE/NGL, DE) *   - Amendment of Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 on organic production and labelling of organic products - Report by Neil PARISH (EPP-ED, UK)     Rule 131 *   - Report by Philippe MORILLON (ALDE, FR)     - Draft amending budget 5/2008 - Report by Kyösti VIRRANKOSKI (ALDE, FI)     - Fisheries and aquaculture in the context of integrated coastal zone management in Europe - Report by Ioannis GKLAVAKIS (EPP-ED, EL)   15.00 - 15.30     - Presentation by the Council of the draft general budget - Budget 2009   15.30 - 17.00       Joint debate - Electronic communications: ***I - Electronic communications networks and services - Report by Catherine TRAUTMANN (PES, FR) ***I - European Electronic Communications Market Authority - Report by Pilar DEL CASTILLO VERA (EPP-ED, ES)   - Reaping the full benefits of the digital dividend in Europe: A common approach to the use of the spectrum released by the digital switchover - Report by Patrizia TOIA (ALDE, IT) ***I - Electronic communications networks and services, protection of privacy and consumer protection - Report by Malcolm HARBOUR (EPP-ED, UK)   17.30 - 19.00     - Question Time   21.00 - 24.00     - Special Report from the European Ombudsman to the European Parliament following the draft recommendation to the European Commission in complaint 3453/2005/GG - Debate on report by Proinsias DE ROSSA (PES, IE)   - Equality between women and men — 2008 - Debate on report by Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ (PSE, ES)   - How marketing and advertising affect equality between women and men - Debate on report by Eva-Britt SVENSSON (GUE/NGL, SE)   - Cloning of animals for food supply - Oral question to the Commission, followed by debate Wednesday 03/09/2008 09:00 - 23:59 Brussels   09.00 - 11.20     - Joint debate - Classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures : ***I - Classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures - Report by Amalia SARTORI (EPP-ED, IT) ***I - Classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (amendment of Directives 76/768/EEC, 88/378/EEC, 1999/13/EC, 2000/53/EC, 2002/96/EC and 2004/42/EC) - Report by Amalia SARTORI (EPP-ED, IT) ***I - Classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (amendment of Regulation (EC) No 648/2004) - Report by Amalia SARTORI (EPP-ED, IT) ***I - Type-approval of hydrogen powered motor vehicles - Debate on report by Anja WEISGERBER (EPP-ED, DE)   11.30 - 12.00     Votes, including:     - Situation in Georgia - Motions for resolutions   12.00 - 12.30     - Formal sitting - Costa Rica   12.30 - 13.00     - Continuation of votes     15.00 - 17.30     - The evaluation of EU sanctions as part of the EU's actions and policies in the area of human rights - Debate on report by Hélène FLAUTRE (Greens/EFA, FR)   - The Millenium Development Goal 5 (maternal health)  - Council and Commission statements, followed by debate   17.30 - 19.00     - Question Time (Commission)   21.00 - 24.00     - Trade in Services - Report by Syed KAMALL (EPP-ED, UK) ***I - Code of Conduct for computerised reservation systems - Report by Timothy KIRKHOPE (EPP-ED, UK)   - A European Ports Policy - Report by Josu ORTUONDO LARREA (ALDE, ES)   - Freight transport in Europe - Report by Michael CRAMER (Greens/EFA, DE) Thursday 04/09/2008 10:00 - 11:50 Brussels   10.00 - 11.50     - Mid Term Review of the European Environment and Health Action Plan 2004-2010 - Debate on report by Frédérique RIES (ALDE, BE)   - Soil Protection - Oral question to the Council, followed by debate   12.00 - 13.00       Votes, including:     - Palestinian prisoners in Israel - Motions for resolutions *   - Eligibility of Central Asian countries under Council Decision 2006/1016/EC - Debate on report by Esko SEPPÄNEN (GUE/NGL, FI)   15.00 - 16.00     - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 115)  - Motions for resolutions     - Coup d'Etat in Mauritania     - Hangings in Iran     - Assassinations of albinos in Tanzania   16.00 - 17.00     - Votes on motions for resolutions (Rule 115)

President's Diary 1-7 September 2008.

To read the President's Diary

Press conferences 1-7 September 2008.

To sell all the press conferences

Parliamentary committees 1-7 September 2008.

To read the Parliamentary committees agenda

Thu 17th Jul 2008:

Lobbyists should join transparency register.

Since the European Commission's voluntary register for lobbyists was opened on 23 June 2008, to date, 174 organisations have registered with the Commission, providing a certain amount of financial disclosure. However, only 9 public affairs consultancies have registered with the Commission. The bulk of registrants are professional organisations and NGOs. Commenting, Liberal Democrat Diana Wallis MEP, the European Parliament's Vice-President responsible for transparency, said "If the Commission's register is to properly serve its purpose, we need registration across the board from interest representatives. "It is very surprising to note that a vast majority of public affairs consultancies have so far refrained from registering. "If such significant interest representatives remain voluntarily outside of the register and its modest financial disclosure requirements, then I have no doubt that the Parliament will strongly repeat calls for a mandatory common register - one which also includes the Council. We have already seen that some sectors of industry, such as the mobile phone operators, have learnt the hard way when they have arrogantly ignored any kind of voluntary measures. "All interest representatives must realise that it is in their interests to work transparently, and I will certainly be encouraging them to do so on an individual basis, as and when they approach me." addthis_pub = 'mplusw';      

MEPs call for UK government to respond over Equitable Life.

On the day the UK Parliamentary Ombudsman, Ann Abraham, published her report into the Equitable Life affair, MEPs have repeated their call on the UK government to respond to the findings of the European Parliament’s inquiry, adopted in June 2007. MEPs invited Ms Abraham to address the EP Petitions Committee in October. Diana Wallis (ALDE, UK), rapporteur for the EP inquiry, said: "I congratulate Ms. Abraham on her detailed work, and for including all EU policyholders of Equitable Life in her findings.” "Ms. Abraham's findings of serial maladministration and injustice should trigger more than an apology. This is a damning indictment of UK financial regulation throughout the nineties. In the case of Equitable Life, such regulation fell well below domestic and EU standards. "Her conclusions, similar to the ones drawn in my report adopted by the European Parliament last year, make the case for a comprehensive, transparent and simple compensation scheme irresistible. I also hope that both reports combined will deliver a huge jolt to our institutions about our regulatory and lawmaking processes. "I now call on the UK Government to take a clear position on the European Parliament's findings."

Tue 15th Jul 2008:

Reforms already underway will address substance of Ombudsman’s concerns.

“The European Parliament has already adopted a series of major reforms to its system of allowances for Members.  These amount to a substantial increase in transparency and will largely address the spirit of the Ombudsman’s remarks,” said Diana Wallis, EP Vice President responsible for transparency. She continued: “Parliament has noted with interest the comments of the European Ombudsman in his decision on a complaint from a Maltese journalist.  The report comes at a time when major changes to the expenses and allowances system are being introduced.” The changes already underway include: ·         a new MEPs’ statute from the 2009 elections, with a common salary, coupled with a new system for travel expenses, based directly on reimbursement of ticket prices; ·         a major change to the system for employment of assistants after the elections, with those working in Parliament’s main places of work (Strasbourg, Brussels and Luxembourg) employed under the EU staffing system and qualified paying agents handling the pay and social security arrangements for most assistance requirements of MEPs in their Member States; ·         with immediate effect, no close family members will be given new contracts as assistants, although existing contracts may be extended over no more than one Parliamentary term if this is noted in the MEP’s public declaration of interests; ·         the secondary pension scheme is to be phased out from 2009; ·         Parliament’s bureau has already decided to increase the transparency of the expenses system by publishing shortly on the EP website information on the expenses and allowances for Members, including the sums available under each category. The Ombudsman welcomed this in his decision. This information has in any case been provided on request for some time. A difference of interpretation The Ombudsman’s interpretation of the legislation in force differs from that of Parliament on the balance to be struck between protection of personal data and public access to documents.  Parliament remains confident that it is fully observing its obligations under the legislation.  The Ombudsman points out that a separate case involving the Commission and dealing with a similar point of law is still the subject of litigation before the Court of Justice. A survey of national Parliaments in the EU showed that most, like the EP, do not publish the detail of individual payments under their allowances schemes. Parliament’s view is that publishing complete details of individual payments expenses and allowances would breach its duty to protect personal data (for example by making public the precise salaries of individual Members’ assistants, who are currently employed under private law contracts) and could compromise the free and independent exercise of the mandate of an MEP. Proper controls over the use of public money are in place Expenditure under the allowances system is subject to a series of controls and checks, both internally (by Parliament’s administration, through the internal audit process and via the Committee on Budgetary Control) and externally (by the EU Court of Auditors).  Where these checks reveal weaknesses, changes are made, as at present.

Mobile phone operators have only themselves to blame.

Fiona Hall comments on today's announcement from the European Commission that it will dramatically reduce the cost of mobile data such as texting. Commenting on today's announcement from the European Commission that it will dramatically reduce the cost of mobile data such as texting, whilst abroad, Fiona Hall MEP, Liberal Democrat Industry Spokesperson, said: "Since the European Commission was forced to introduce caps on roaming voice calls in 2007, we have tried to warn the mobile phone operators that unless they showed more willingness to bring down the cost of roaming data and sms, similar measures would follow. Action at an EU level has come to the rescue of consumers, who had been exploited and manipulated by the mobile phone companies for far too long."   Notes to Editors: A copy of the European Commission's proposal and press release can be found here: http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/1144&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

MEPs reject criminalising 'public provocation' of terrorism.

In an echo of the controversial Westminster parliament debate 2 years ago in which Liberal Democrats and other advocates of free speech opposed making the 'glorification' of terrorism a criminal offence, Euro-MPs on the European Parliament's civil liberties committee have today rejected a proposal to criminalise throughout the EU the 'public provocation' of a terrorist act. Commenting, Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP, Liberal Democrats European Justice Spokeswoman, said: "It is wrong to pass legislation that is vague and subjective, thus having a chilling effect on free speech and legitimate discussion of the causes of a conflict. This would both undermine fundamental rights and alienate those who we aim to prevent being recruited into terrorism."    Notes to Editors:  MEPs have voted for a much more precise wording, whereby only 'public incitement clearly and intentionally advocating the commission' of a terrorist act should be criminalised in EU law. The Labour government got its way and the 2006 Terrorism Act, enacted after hasty remarks of then Prime Minister Tony Blair in the wake of the July 2005 London bombings, did indeed make encouragement and 'glorification' of terrorism a criminal offence: 1 Encouragement of terrorism (1) ........a statement that is likely to be understood by some or all of the members of the public to whom it is published as a direct or indirect encouragement or other inducement to them to the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism........... [including a statement which] (a) glorifies the commission or preparation (whether in the past, in the future or generally) of such acts or offences; and (b) is a statement from which those members of the public could reasonably be expected to infer that what is being glorified is being glorified as conduct that should be emulated by them in existing circumstances.

Sun 13th Jul 2008:

ALDE mourns the death of a friend and a great European.

Learning today of the untimely death of Bronislaw Geremek, European Liberal Democrat Leader, Graham Watson said: "With the tragic departure of Bronislaw Geremek Poland loses one of its heroes, a tireless architect of its independence but also of the national reconciliation." "Europe also loses one of its most ardent proponents who by the power of his conviction helped enlargement become a political success. Europe mourns a symbol of its reunification. I am proud to have had such a man among the ranks of Liberals and Democrats in the European Parliament and among my friends. A man of culture, who saw the coming together of peoples possible only through sharing and collaboration; a man whose faith was forged on the anvil of Europe’s 20th century dramas; a humanist who will serve as an example for generations to come. Even with the passage of time his memory will never be erased nor his marvellous and mischievous smile obscured."

Thu 10th Jul 2008:

EU biometric visa system must be secure and reliable.

The European Parliament has today adopted a report concerning its requirements for the collection of biometric data from applicants for Schengen visas - digital photos and fingerprints - to make the EU Visa Information System operational. MEPs have so far been unable to reach an accord with the Council of Ministers representing EU governments so there has been no 'first reading agreement'. Differences include the governments' desire to fingerprint children from the age of 6, where MEPs have worries on principle but also concerning reliability and inconvenience to families, and issues around data security such as the outsourcing of the collection of biometrics to private companies outside diplomatic premises Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP, the European Parliament's rapporteur and Liberal Democrat Justice and Home Affairs spokesperson, said: "I am disappointed that we have been unable to reach agreement, but the Council and Commission have not sufficiently thought through how their proposals would work. No decision to require fingerprints from 6 year olds should be made without taking into account doubts over reliability due to rapid change in young childrens' prints, and the significant costs and inconvenience for their parents if the solution is to impose collection every 2 years instead of 5. "That is why MEPs are making the reasonable proposal of starting with 12 years old for fingerprinting and re-examining age limits after a 3-year study. I want the Visa Information System to succeed, and we cannot afford to make it into one vast experiment with 70 million entries at any one time. "This law deals with sensitive biometric personal data, thus MEPs are extremely vigilant about protection against data misuse and security against loss. Member States have so far rejected the idea of private contracted firms operating in premises under diplomatic protection, which would ensure material is protected from seizure. If they were willing to explore forms of cooperation, such as co-location of consulates or 'Common Application Centres', they might be able to save costs, increase convenience for applicants and deliver data security all at once. The UK will not be bound by this EU legislation as it has an 'opt-out' from EU borders and visa policies, but it is developing its own biometric visa system and there is likely to be a 'pipeline' agreed to exchange data, so the data protection and security measures are relevant. In addition, the UK government has a habit of suggesting that it must follow EU standards, even when there is absolutely no legal requirement to do so. It certainly did that on biometric passports."  

A historical breakthrough in the fight against the death penalty.

On July 2 2008, the Pakistani Federal Cabinet has adopted a proposal to commute the death penalty to life imprisonment. This proposal is subjected to approval by the President Pervez Musharraf before it enters into force. This will benefit the 7000 death row prisoners in Pakistan. Commenting, Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne MEP, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affiars Spokesperson, said: “We welcome this important step forward, which goes in the sense of the worldwide trend to end capital punishment. The UN General Assembly resolution of December 2007 calling for a global moratorium on executions was an important milestone underlining this trend. “We now call upon president Musharraf to approve the cabinet’s proposal. The deterrent effect of capital punishment has never been demonstrated and the application of death penalty in Pakistan falls far below international standards. At every step, from arrest to trial to execution, the safeguards against miscarriage of justice are weak or non-existent, and the possibility that innocents will be executed is frighteningly high .  

Indonesian Government decree abhorrent.

On June 9, the Indonesian government issued a decree threatening Ahmadiyah sect followers with five years imprisonment for "activities that are not in accordance with interpretations of the religion of Islam. " It remains unclear how strictly the measure will be enforced, but the decision has been denounced by Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne MEP, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, who said: "It is sad that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has made this move to shore up support for his run for a second term next year. This decision must be reversed immediately, without question."  

Zimbabwe: Responsibility now rests with African neighbours.

A resolution, passed by the European Parliament today, on the situation in Zimbabwe says that a transitional government of national unity would help end the climate of terror sweeping through Zimbabwe since the presidential elections campaign started.  The resolution also asks to tighten up sanctions against members of the Mugabe regime and others responsible for grave violations of human rights, if mediation efforts by the Southern African Development Community are not accepted and the state-sponsored violence is not ended, and to press for sanctions to be adopted at UN level, including an arms embargo. Commenting, Graham Watson MEP, Leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, said: "It is high time that the African Union took real action. No longer can this conspiracy of silence continue. One wonders why the International Criminal Court has not yet issued a warrant for Mugabe's arrest." Fiona Hall MEP, Liberal Democrat Development Spokesperson, added: "In addition to the strengthening of sanctions the EU should offer diplomatic support to those seeking to find a way forward via an interim transitional government that involves all parties and civil society and respects the results of the first round of elections. "A transitional coalition is an African approach that has worked over the years in a number of other countries such as Togo and the Democratic Republic of Congo. But President Mbeki's diplomacy has failed, and a different African neighbour respected by all sides should assist with brokering such negotiations. International accompaniment to the negotiations would also be helpful. The Commission and Member States should start planning ahead for the day when Zimbabwe has a legitimate government and will need a broad package of international support. But ordinary Zimbabweans are in desperate straits and need basic aid now, just to survive".  

DIANA WALLIS MEP "overjoyed" at the European Parliament's call for a Europe-wide alert system for missing children.

As the holiday season begins we become even more aware of the danger for children to go missing. Most of the time this is just a temporary absence: - of a few seconds, minutes or hours. Diana Wallis said: "Most parents and grand-parents will have experienced that heart-stopping moment in their lives when they just do not know where their little one is. Lost in a crowd, on the beach, or out of sight in the local park - whatever the situation is, the fear is the same. Hours really do count when trying to find missing children. "So, on those rare occasions when a child has really gone missing, parents want to know that the best alert systems are in place to help find their missing child. "Mostly alert systems would work at a local or national level, but occasionally neighbouring countries' emergency services will need to co-operate cross-border to ensure that all that can be is being done. This is a good example of MEPs working together to make Europe work for us". ENDS Notes to Editors: Diana is a co-author of a Written Declaration in the European Parliament which calls on the countries in the European Union to set-up a version of the US "Amber Alert" system. The Written Declaration was launched in April and today, Thursday 10 July 2008, reached the required number of signatures for it to be presented to the European Commission and the Council of Ministers requesting action be taken. Evidence indicates that such a system has proven to be extremely successful and worthwhile on a national basis in both the USA and France. 393 children have been recovered alive in the USA since its inception (90% in last 5 years); 68 children recovered directly as a result of the Amber Alert system in 2007; 'Alerte Enlevement' in France introduced in 2006- used 5 times- all the children have been recovered alive. Kate and Gerry McCann met Diana in Strasbourg recently as part of the campaign for the introduction of a European version of the US Amber Alert system which enables an early warning to be given via the media across the country when police confirm a child has been abducted. ENDS Written Declaration 36/2008 The European Parliament, – having regard to Rule 116 of its Rules of Procedure, A. whereas the abduction of a child is amongst the most inhumane of crimes, B. whereas the commission of such crimes is increasing in Europe and may involve transporting victims across state borders, C. whereas the prospects of saving the life of an abducted child decrease as time passes, D. whereas there is no Europe-wide alert system for child disappearances nor any local or national systems throughout much of the European Union, 1. Calls on Member States to introduce a missing child alert system, the activation of which would require the immediate forwarding to the relevant news media, border authorities and customs and law enforcement agencies of details of: – the missing child, with a photograph if available – information relevant to the disappearance and/or the suspected abductor(s) – a telephone number to call with information (116 000 where operational); 2. Calls on the Member States to reach cooperation agreements with all bordering states to ensure the capacity to raise an alert rapidly across any relevant territories; 3. Calls for the development of a common organisation to provide assistance and training to national bodies; 4. Instructs its President to forward this declaration, together with the names of the signatories, to the Commission and the Council.  

Wed 9th Jul 2008:

EU environment chief promises vigilance on Heathrow air pollution.

After meeting EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas along with leaders of the '2M' group of local authorities whose objective is to stop air pollution from Heathrow expansion affecting the local people, London Liberal Democrat MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford said: "I was very encouraged by Commissioner Dimas' grasp of the situation and his commitment to ensuring that London's elected representatives, both MEPs and London council leaders, would be consulted in any assessment of a UK bid to 'stretch' the limits." The aim of the meeting was to seek an assurance that the European Commission will hold the UK to its obligation to comply with EU air quality laws and in particular the ceiling of 40µg m-3 of nitrogen dioxide that applies from 2010. The UK government however is expected to seek a 5-year postponement of the deadline. Sarah Ludford added: “This is not just an issue for the environment but an issue of health and wellbeing for London’s residents. Improvement in air quality due to restraint on Heathrow would also contribute to reducing the 1,000 premature deaths in London annually from respiratory disease. "Heathrow is surrounded by dense residential development, schools and other facilities. EU pollution controls - ones the UK signed up to - cannot just be swept aside. I am confident that Commissioner Dimas will take very seriously his watchdog role."  

We need a proper, functioning market for energy.

The European Parliament has voted on a key legislative proposal today that will open up gas markets across the European Union. This legislation has the potential to be of benefit to consumers and gas providers alike. Although the UK gas market has been fully liberalised, UK gas companies do not have the opportunity to invest in other countries markets in the way that foreign owned gas companies can invest in the UK market. The legislation also includes some key consumer protection provisions: and consumers will have the right to withdraw from contracts with a gas provider without charge, the right to change suppliers within two weeks and the right to compensation if service quality levels are not met. Commenting after of the vote, Fiona Hall MEP, Liberal Democrat Energy Spokesperson and the European Parliament's rapporteur on energy efficiency, said: "It is about time that the rest of Europe caught up with the UK in terms of ownership unbundling. The need to separate supply and production has not been an idea universally held by all Member States. But it is long overdue and will be of benefit to consumers across the EU. "The aim of this proposal is to ensure a well-functioning internal market of gas, which could help the EU achieve more secure, competitive and sustainable energy. The so-called "Independent Transmission Operators", whilst not the complete liberalisation we would have wanted is necessary because many smaller eastern European providers would have been vulnerable to the ever looming Gazprom which would lead to a worse situation than we are in currently. This compromise is very different from the original "third-way" proposed by the French and Germans and we have the diligence of liberal forces in the parliament to thank for that. "  

MEP Calls for Better EU Training for National Judges.

Diana Wallis' (LibDem, UK) own-initiative report on "the Role of the National Judge in the European Judicial System" will be adopted today with an overwhelming majority by the full European Parliament. The report follows over a year of detailed investigation and dialogue with national judges, national authorities and European institutions. Speaking ahead of the vote, the rapporteur, Diana WALLIS said: "As a co-legislator, the Parliament is keen ensure that the laws adopted at EU level are properly implemented, including by national judges. National judges are on the frontline of European law, and have a duty to uphold individual rights conferred by it. They also have a duty to recognise and enforce judgments in other Member States and therefore trust needs to be developed between national judges. "I received over two thousand personal responses from individual judges in all 27 Member States. There is a general feeling, from Lisbon to Vilnius, that European law is rather distant and too complex. National judges are not given the time or the means to overcome this complexity. This must be counteracted. "National judges must be properly equipped legally and linguistically to deal with the challenges of an enlarged EU legal order. We need better treatment of EU law in national training courses for judges, more judicial exchanges, increased language training, and finally a European judicial academy. These elements properly combined could foster a common judicial culture. "I am glad that the French presidency is treating this issue as a priority, and call on all Member States to take a very proactive stance on judicial training." ENDS Notes to editors: Following the adoption of a series of compromises in the Legal Affairs Committee, only three amendments have been tabled by the Rapporteur to the plenary, at least two of which are expected to be approved. The report also makes a series of suggestions as to how to better tailor EU laws to application by national judges, taking into account their suggestions.  

Composition of political groups: a detrimental decision to democracy and parliamentary efficiency.

At today's plenary session of the European Parliament, Liberals and Democrats have opposed the adoption of a modification to the internal rules of the House, aimed at hardening the preconditions to forming a parliamentary group. These new provisions mean a de facto dissolution of the UEN and Ind/Dem groups. ALDE is hostile to these measures for reasons of democratic principles but also for practical reasons linked to the good functioning of the parliamentary Institution. "The Liberal group is a reformist group: we want to change the Parliament so that it becomes the place where post-national democratic politics takes shape. I simply do not accept that the existence of seven groups causes a particular problem for this Parliament. Lessons drawn from national parliaments are limited: here we should reflect the more complex and wider spread of opinion from 27 countries. In fact, it is critical at this delicate phase of European integration that all sorts of minority opinion has the chance to organize itself in an articulate way in the assembly. Groups contribute to and do not impede the effective development of Parliament. Especially at a time when the size of the House is being reduced, perhaps from 785 to 736 seats, it is not right to raise the threshold for the formation of political groups," Andrew DUFF (Lib Dem, UK), ALDE Constitutional Affairs Coordinator, explained. Andrew Duff believes that moreover, this modification of the internal rules could backfire on its main authors, i.e. on PPE and PSE, the two main political groups. ""If we closed small groups, their members would be forced to join a larger group, thereby adding to the incoherence of those groups, or would swell the ranks of the non-inscrits," he said in the pubilc debate last Monday, considering that the proposal should have been voted down for the benefit of efficiency, pluralism, and parliamentary coherence.  

Tue 8th Jul 2008:

Parliament to thoroughly control the nomination of Commissioners.

The European Parliament has today adopted a report by Andrew Duff (LibDem, UK) modifying its internal rules with regard to the procedure of approval of the European Commission. By this move, Parliament has taken a step forward in this crucial question for EU democracy. The report tightens and codifies presently applied empiric practices, mainly those that became obvious in 2004 when Mr Barroso's Commission was designated. Consequently, future Commission candidates will have to prove their European commitment and their independence. They will have to communicate their financial interests beforehand; at present, this obligation is complied with a posteriori. Should there be any doubts about an applicant's integrity, from the side of the committee(s) responsible of the respective audit(s), a vote could be organised to possibly refuse the candidate. The new internal rules also foresee that Parliament, via its elected President, will be able to pronounce itself on the distribution of the portfolios. "It is possible that the designation of the next Commission falls under the Nice Treaty provisions, and not under those of the Lisbon Treaty", Andrew Duff, ALDE Constitutional Affairs Coordinator commented. "It's a pity for European democracy since the Council will feel less obliged to the outcome of the European elections. However, our citizens should at least know that their MEPs commit themselves to work out who is the best person for a post, or not nominate a person at all in case Member States stubbornly consider Brussels to be a place where to recycle incompetent or clearly eurosceptic politicians whose careers have been interrupted at home. The European Commission is neither a nursing home nor a recycling factory", Mr Duff added.  

Valid concerns remain over Baltic gas pipeline.

The European Parliament has backed a report from the Petitions Committee, signed by 30,000 citizens, that highlights the environmental concerns of a planned Baltic gas pipeline linking Russia and Germany. ALDE members share the environmental concerns but also underline and deplore the politico-strategic dimension to the project which has led Russia to negotiate a bilateral deal with one Member State to avoid seeking approval and paying transit fees for a land-based pipeline and thus disregarding the concerns of neighbouring Baltic states. Diana Wallis MEP (Lib Dem, UK), ALDE Shadow rapporteur, commented: “In the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe we are seeking to adopt a ‘European approach’ in three ways. “First, by underlining the need for a truly European energy policy where all EU Members states co-operate; the Nordstream project could very well form a part of that. Second, by making sure that, in what is undoubtedly a vulnerable area, European standards of environmental protection are met. Finally, by using the challenges occasioned by this pipe-line project as an opportunity to enhance the EU / Russia working relationship through the Northern Dimension partnership.” Henrik Lax MEP (Finland, Svenska Folkpartiet) added: "The earlier hearing in the petitions committee and the debate in plenary today has proven to be of great importance. The confidence building measures sought by the European Parliament have gradually materialized. Nordstream has agreed to carry out a thorough environmental impact assessment. But this is not enough. Since the Baltic Sea is recognized as an environmentally extremely vulnerable area, Russia must ratify the Espoo convention before an authorization to build the pipeline can be given. The future of the Baltic Sea cannot be put at any risk." Grazyna Staniszewska MEP (PD, Poland) concluded: "The EU reaction on the Northern gas pipeline project is a test for the quality of the European Union; this will be an answer to the question if the EU undertakings are indeed based on the principle of solidarity. This is also a test for the presumably unquestionable basis of environmental protection. "In future, we must make sure that we consider all options and proposals and choose the o0ne that will do the least damage to the environment."  

More transparency for airline ticket prices.

The European Parliament will endorse tomorrow a Liberal Democrat bill imposing strict price transparency rules on airline companies. Taxes, additional charges such as fuel supplements and actual ticket costs will have to be clearly indicated whether the ticket is purchased online or through an agent.   Commenting, Graham Watson MEP, European Liberal Democrat Leader, said:   "Tomorrow's vote will make sure that as early as December, passengers will be able to see how much their air trip will cost them before rather than after purchasing a ticket. No longer will people be tricked by flashy rates which later prove to be only a fraction of the actual cost. The bill which we saw through the House guarantees price transparency and the consumers' right to information."   The new bill will also defend passengers in case of airline bankruptcy by allowing close oversight of companies' financial situation.     "With rising oil prices weakening aviation sector's outlook, it is important that EU governments and the European Commission can act before it's too late. By allowing intervention once companies veer close to bankruptcy, we can prevent people being stranded away from home or buying tickets which later become void", added Graham Watson.

Aviation in EU Emissions Trading System.

Today the European Parliament endorsed the compromise agreemenALDE´s environment spokesperson Chris Davies (LibDem, UK) commented: "MEPs have responded to the spectacular pace of air traffic growth by calling for a tougher approach than proposed by the Commission. Air travel across Europe has never been so cheap as it is now, but the real price will be paid by future generations if we don't apply pressure to curb the rise in carbon emissions." ALDE´s environment spokesperson Chris Davies (LibDem, UK) commented: "MEPs have responded to the spectacular pace of air traffic growth by calling for a tougher approach than proposed by the Commission. Air travel across Europe has never been so cheap as it is now, but the real price will be paid by future generations if we don't apply pressure to curb the rise in carbon emissions." The compromise entails that from 1st January 2012 all flights starting and/or landing in Europe will be included in the ETS. 85 Percent of the emissions certificates will be allocated for free and 15 percent will be auctioned. In the first period, until 2012, airline emissions are to be cut by three percent, and from 2013 onwards the emissions will have to decrease by 5 percent. The revenues generated from the auctioning should be used to fund climate change mitigation, research on clean aircraft, anti-deforestation measures in the developing world or low-emission transport.  

Liberal Democrat MEP proposals to eliminate VAT fraud overwhelmingly backed.

The European Parliament's Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee has backed a report by UK Liberal Democrat Sharon Bowles that aims to break a prolonged EU deadlock over fighting VAT fraud with a radical proposal to levy the tax on all trade among the 27 countries. The report is proposing to levy VAT of 15% on all EU trade on goods and services. Under the proposals, Member States would be allowed to charge a top up rate to bring the total VAT charge in line with current levels within their own countries. For example, the UK which has a VAT rate of 17.5% would be allowed to charge 2.5% on all imports under the new system. The 15% levied by the exporting Member State would also be paid to the UK. Commenting on the vote, Sharon said: "It is clear by the overwhelming majority that backed the report today that this issue has transcended political and geographical boundaries. Clearly, many people have been motivated by the sheer loss of revenue that fiscal fraud causes government's every year. The total annual loss, estimated at around EUR 200-250 billion, is double the annual budget of the European Union. VAT fraud alone is said by the European Commission to cost exchequers EUR 40bn (£31bn) a year, roughly the same as the EU spends on the Common Agricultural Policy. In the United Kingdom, HM Revenue and Customs estimate that in the tax year 2005-2006 VAT revenue losses amounted to £14.4 bn. "It is now for the European Council to stop dragging its feet and show genuine political will in achieving the elimination of such costly fraud. We need greater trust between national administrative authorities when it comes to sharing information on fiscal fraud, only then can we establish recommendations for the method of collection to be as similar as possible across Member States. This is simply not a problem that can be solved at member State level and it is for this reason why I am highlighting as a priority for the EU." ENDS Notes to Editors: A copy of the draft report (unamended) can be found here: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/meetdocs/2004_2009/documents/pr/719/719564/719564en.pdf  

Thu 3rd Jul 2008:

US racial profiling is a slippery slope.

The US justice department is set to allow the FBI to single out Muslims, Arabs and other minority ethnic groups as potential terrorist suspects. Agents would be able to open preliminary terrorism investigations after mining public records and intelligence to build a profile of traits that, taken together, were deemed suspicious. Race could be one factor, as could travel to regions of the world known for terrorist activity. Commenting, Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP, Liberal Democrat Justice and Human Rights Spokeswoman, who is also the European Parliament rapporteur responsible for drawing up a report on the use of ‘profiling’ in law enforcement and border control, said: “President Bush’s earlier pledge regarding racial profiling, ‘It's wrong, and we will end it in America”, is obviously as unreliable as his pledges about observing the rule of law and rejecting the practice of torture. He should take heed of the warning by the US Congress that it is unclear how the FBI could compile suspect profiles so as to avoid needless intrusions into the privacy of innocent citizens and without wasting time and money chasing down false leads. "Profiling means junking the presumption of innocence, the foundation of the legal system of democratic countries, since someone is judged suspicious not on the basis of their own conduct but on the basis of a stereotype or profile of what a terrorist is or does. Meanwhile, the real terrorists evade capture by altering the people they select, as we have seen with the use of female suicide bombers. “Since the EU these days tends to follow lamely down the illiberal trail blazed by the US on ‘security’ measures, we need to be very worried by this US move. The bottom line is that it is counter-productive as well as ineffective to single out racial and religious minorities, since the very communities whose cooperation with police is needed will be alienated through discrimination. Since European human rights and data protection law is muddled on the acceptability of racial or behavioural profiling, my report in the European Parliament is designed to explore the legal and practical pitfalls."  

Wed 2nd Jul 2008:

Coal becomes a hard political option.

EU Environment Ministers meeting in Paris tomorrow (Thursday 3 July) will be told they must set a timetable to end the building of conventional coal power stations. British Euro-MP Chris Davies, the European Parliament's lead negotiator on Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), will warn ministers that the use of coal now comes at a heavy political price. He will caution:  "Across Europe we are going to see more and more protests every time a coal-fired power station gets approved. Maybe we are just talking about letters of condemnation.  Or maybe we are talking about mass civil protest, sabotage of contractors' equipment, years and years of disruption." The MEP will argue that Europe must take a lead in developing CCS if it is to persuade China and India to stop building conventional coal-fired power stations as part of an international agreement to curb global warming. The French Presidency of the European Commission has given a commitment to prepare a CCS action plan and Mr Davies will call on Ministers to ensure that it includes: ·       IIdentification of CCS demonstration projects - In spring last year the EU Heads of Government committed themselves to support 10-12 large scale projects.  Sixteen months later not a single one has yet been identified, although the UK is further advanced than any other Member State. ·         Establishment of a funding mechanism to bridge the initial gap between CCS innovation and commercial viability.  Chris Davies is proposing the granting of tradable carbon allowances for every tonne of CO2 buried deep underground. ·        Setting a 2015 date for making CCS a mandatory requirement for new coal power stations.  Mr Davies will challenge Ministers to explain if they are prepared to allow conventional coal-fired power stations to continue being opened as late as 2022 or beyond, with each one wiping out the benefits of energy saving and development of renewables.   Notes to Editors: Below is a copy of the speech to be given by Liberal Democrat MEP Chris Davies to EU Environment Ministers tomorrow (Thursday 3 July). Chris Davies MEP European Parliament Rapporteur EU Directive on the Geological Storage of Carbon Dioxide The world needs coal; there is no getting away from that fact. China, India and the USA are said to be planning 850 new coal-fired power stations. The International Energy Agency says world coal use will increase by 70% over the next 20 years. It begs the question: "How do we curb carbon emissions if we carry on this way?" In Europe too we are still hugely dependent on coal. Britain gets a third of its electricity from coal; Germany, Greece and the Czech Republic 50%, Poland 94%. We need coal to keep the lights on. But coal now comes at a high political price. Across Europe we are going to see more and more protests every time a coal-fired power station gets approved. Maybe we are just talking about letters of condemnation. Or maybe we are talking about mass civil protest, sabotage of contractors' equipment, years and years of disruption. If we have to use coal, we must at least ensure that its emissions do not escape into the atmosphere. That's why we have to accelerate the development of carbon capture and storage technology. CCS may only be a stopgap measure, but we need it to buy time to develop better forms of low carbon power generation. You sometimes hear that burying CO2 deep underground is not safe.  But the Norwegian Government has just announced that after ten years of monitoring at Sleipner the CO2 beneath the North Sea is confined securely.  In any case, what are the real risks from CO2?  It's inert.  We breathe it.  We drink it. Compare it to an explosive gas like methane.  Not only do we bury it in underground reservoirs but we pipe it into people's homes, where we actually set light to it!  Can you imagine giving permission for that to start now? We manage risks every day and we cannot afford to have hundreds and thousands more conventional coal fired power stations built across the world.  We have to ensure that CCS is at the heart of the international agreement to fight climate change. It's our task to lead by example, to convince the Chinese and others that we are serious, and to persuade them to make a commitment to curb emissions from coal. The potential exists for us to make rapid progress. By December this year we can reach agreement on the framework Directive for the geological storage of CO2. But we need to go further and that's why I am pleased that the French Presidency has given a commitment to prepare a CCS Action Plan. In my view it should have three elements. In spring last year the Council committed itself to supporting 10-12 large scale commercial demonstration projects.  Sixteen months later not a single one has been identified.  We need now to establish how the technologies will be chosen and the contractors selected. Second, we need to determine a funding mechanism to bridge the gap between innovation and commercial viability.  The Parliament will propose the use of allowances from the surplus within the new entrants' reserve of the Emissions Trading System.  These can be traded only when CO2 has actually been sequestrated underground. It's the best mechanism available.  It can be delivered at a European level, it gives investors certainty, and it can be determined almost immediately. Finally we need to look to making CCS a mandatory requirement. Don't be put off by those who say the technology is immature.  Of course it will get better with time, but General Electric says IGCC pre-combustion systems are ready NOW, and Alstom and Hitachi say post-combustion systems will be commercially available from 2015. Authorisation from 2015?  That means an operating date of 2021 or 2022.   We can do that.  Our entire experience of introducing environmental regulation shows that it accelerates development and brings down costs. And can we afford NOT to make CCS mandatory? Are we really going to allow conventional coal-fired power stations to start operating in 2022, pouring out the CO2 into the atmosphere, wiping out all the benefits gained from energy saving and the construction of renewables? What message will that send out to China and India, and will our citizens allow it to happen without demanding payment of a high political price? The French Presidency has the opportunity to drive forward the CCS agenda. Over the next six months we need to raise our sights and lift our ambitions. Over the next six months we can really make a difference.

ALDE: Cross border health package first important step.

Today the European Commission presented its package on Patients' rights in cross-border healthcare. Liberal Democrats are delighted that Commission Vassiliou has shown courage by coming forward with her proposal. The Liberals and Democrats regard this proposal as a first important step toward a free European patient area. Commenting, ALDE Group Leader Graham Watson, said: "Today's proposal places legislative authority firmly within the remit of the European Parliament, so people's right to timely medical attention will no longer be subject to the outcome of EU-level litigation. This will deliver to our citizens "medecine sans frontiers. "Although it will not create new entitlements, this directive will make it easier for patients to exercise their rights and will ensure equal access to cross-border healthcare. For Liberals and Democrats this long-overdue directive is a step towards the free movement of patients - a step we hope to make before the end of the Parliament's mandate". The directive gives patients the right to non-hospitalisation care in other Member States to the extent that they would be covered in their own Member State. They do not need prior authorisation and will be reimbursed by their own social security system. Patients may also seek hospital care in another Member State and get the costs reimbursed, but in this case the Member States can require prior authorisation. The directive ensures free movement of and better information for patients. Furthermore, it will increase cooperation between health care systems by sharing expertise, innovation and information.

Liberals and democrats make their mark on the Commission's anti-discrimination directive.

After strong representation and argumentation from the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, the Commission has finally announced today a proposal for a "horizontal" directive on the fight against discrimination in the European Union. This directive is called "horizontal" because it widens the existing legal framework to include all types of discrimination (not just disability but also age, sexual orientation and religion) and enlarges the various fields of application (from the workplace to goods and services and social protection). ALDE is proud to have reached this result, having been heavily involved from the outset of this initiative by the Commission, which will now be adopted under the legal base (art. 13, TCE) which unfortunately marginalizes completely the European Parliament as the Council will decide by unanimity. Graham Watson, leader of the ALDE group in the European Parliament declared " The European Parliament approved the current Commission on the basis that it honours its pledge to champion fundamental rights. Although it took some time to finalize, this week's proposal is a welcome sign that citizen's equality remains its priority. Liberal Democrats in both the European Parliament and the Commission have successfully acted to ensure that the draft directive covers all grounds of discrimination in all walks of life: a victory for equality and anti-discrimination". Liz LYNNE (LibDem, United Kingdom), whose own initiative report on this subject was adopted in last may by the European Parliament, and which has played a crucial role in this proposal, added:" "I am delighted that because of my report and the tenacity shown by MEPs and NGOs, the European Commission has now announced it will bring forward comprehensive legislation covering all areas currently excluded, including disability, age, sexual orientation and religion or belief. I've been campaigning for years on disabled people's rights and on age, but I became totally convinced that we need a comprehensive directive so that no-one is left out. Non-discrimination and equal treatment are principles that lie at the heart of the European Union's treaties and my report succeeded in getting the message across to the Commission and Member States that there could be no hierarchy of discrimination with some forms considered more acceptable than others."

Mep backs legal bid to end mandatory retirement age.

The MEP who first helped to ensure that age discrimination in the workplace was outlawed across the EU has said she hopes the European Court of Justice will decide the UK Government is wrong to let people in the UK still get the sack simply because they are over 65.  Liberal Democrat MEP, Liz Lynne, who is the Liberal Democrat Employment Spokesperson in the European Parliament and was shadow rapporteur for the Employment Directive 2000, which forced the Government to introduce anti age discrimination legislation in the UK in 2006, said:   "In 2000, I worked hard in the European Parliament to ensure that age was included in the original European Directive, which forced the Government to bring in workplace age discrimination legislation in the UK.  "Sadly, the Government's interpretation of the law has led to a contradictory situation whereby employers cannot discriminate on the basis of age, but as soon as an employee reaches 65 they can be sacked for no reason other than their age.  "The Government has said it will look at the situation in 2011 - this is far too late for the thousands of people who will want to stay in work in the meantime.  "I hope the European Courts will rule that the Government's interpretation of this valuable European legislation is not acceptable, let us hope the review marks the end of this outdated and unfair practice. "We must end the sudden cliff edge of retirement that forces people to stop working at a certain age whether they want to or not, whilst ensuring that individuals still remain entitled to a state pension at an agreed statutory age.”    Notes :  The European Court of Justice will today begin to examine whether the government has properly implemented the EU `s 2000 employment framework directive by still allowing employers to compulsory retire people at 65. A ruling from the European Courts is expected later this year. It is estimated that over 25,000 people in the UK are forced to retire at the age of 65, whereas recent surveys by the heyday group have shown that over 60% of people would like the choice about whether they continue working past this age.  For further information, comment or to book an interview, please contact Liz Lynne on 0032 2284 7521 (Brussels office) or 0776 445 2725 (mobile).

Tue 1st Jul 2008:

European judges overturn EU ministers' secrecy reflex.

In a resounding judgement, judges in the European Court of Justice, the EU's court, have struck a blow for openness by overturning a refusal by the Council of Ministers to grant a freedom of information request for an opinion of its legal service on EU asylum law. The case was brought by Maurizio Turco, former MEP, now Italian MP, from Italy's Radical party which is allied to the UK Liberal Democrats. In 2002 the Council, which groups the 27 governments, refused his request for a copy of legal advice relating to legislation on treatment of asylum-seekers. Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP, Liberal Democrat European Justice & Human Rights Spokeswoman, welcomed the judgement in which the court said the transparency of the legislative process and the strengthening of the democratic rights of European citizens are capable of constituting an overriding public interest which justifies the disclosure of legal advice. She said: "All opinion polls and indeed votes, such as the recent referendum in Ireland, show that European citizens see the EU as remote and opaque. It is therefore hugely refreshing that the court has rejected the secrecy reflex of EU governments. "Experience shows that open government leads to better laws enjoying more public support. Let us hope that the Council is now shamed into consistently practising the belief in democracy and participation that it preaches. "All credit to my colleague Maurizio Turco for his persistence and championing of liberal values. These must now be reflected in revised EU legislation on access to documents."

Thu 26th Jun 2008:

Age Discrimination Legislation Welcome Says EU's "Equality Rapporteur".

Liberal Democrat MEP Liz Lynne has welcomed today’s expected announcement by the Government that it will bring forward legislation to combat discrimination on the grounds of age in access to goods and services ahead of European legislation in this field that was on the cards. Liz Lynne was dubbed the "EU's equality rapporteur" after recently securing the adoption of a European Parliament report calling for an EU Directive to outlaw discrimination in access to goods and services covering all areas presently excluded, including disability, age, religion or belief and sexual orientation. The European Commission has since agreed to bring forward legislation to this end. Commenting, Liz Lynne MEP, who is Vice President of the Employment and Social Affairs Committee of the European Parliament, said: “I am delighted that the Government has seen sense and will bring forward long overdue legislation to outlaw age discrimination in access to goods and services. These measures are vital if we are to put an end to the current hierarchy of rights and the ridiculous idea that it is alright to discriminate against one section of society. "I have always said, for instance, it is wrong for the health service to be able to refuse treatment on the grounds of age alone. I now hope with this new bill that no patient will be refused a transplant or any other procedure, which has happened in the past. Medical professionals, I hope will now have to take into account more factors than just age when assessing the need for treatment of a patient. “This debate is echoed across the European Union and the European Parliament, in adopting my recent report, sent a strong signal to the UK and other Member States that their could be no compromise when it comes to anti-discrimination and human rights, which I believe is the basis on which the European Union was founded. "My hope is the UK Government will now lobby other Member States to support the European Commission's decision to bring forward comprehensive EU legislation to outlaw discrimination in access to goods and services on all grounds currently not covered, including disability, age, religion or belief and sexual orientation.”    Notes to Editors: Text of Liz Lynne’s report as adopted by the European Parliament last month; http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A6-2008-0159&language=EN Liz Lynne’s campaign and petition to persuade the Commission and member States to press ahead with a comprehensive directive can be found here: www.signtostopdiscrimination.org  Current EU anti-discrimination laws prohibit discrimination in the workplace on all grounds (Employment Directive 2000) but only provides protection against discrimination in access to goods and services on the basis of gender and race (Equal Treatment Directive and the Race Directive respectively).  UK age-discrimination legislation currently only covers the workplace. In contrast, laws that combat discrimination on racial grounds or on grounds of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, religion or belief are much broader, extending protection to individuals in their dealings with suppliers of goods and services.

Tue 24th Jun 2008:

Kashmir mass grave allegations must be investigated.

Reports of mass graves in Indian-controlled Kashmir must be thoroughly investigated if there is to be any progress towards peace in the troubled region, according to a Liberal Democrat MEP.  Recently a report by the Srinagar-based Association of the Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) detailed the existence of graves, which because of their proximity to the Line of Control are not accessible without Indian Army permission. The report claims over 8000 people have gone missing in Jammu and Kashmir since 1989. Liz Lynne MEP (ALDE, UK) is a member of the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with the Countries of South Asia and the Human Rights Subcommittee and has campaigned for many years on the rights of the Kashmiri people. Speaking at the start of the EU’s Kashmir Week, she said:  “The claims in this report are horrific. If the authorities are to gain any credibility in the eyes of local people these allegations must be investigated and if crimes have been committed, the perpetrators must be punished. The rule of law must apply to everyone present in the region.” On moves towards peace in Kashmir and the role of the EU, Liz added: "Kashmir Week here in Brussels gives us the opportunity to meet a range of opinion formers who share deep concerns about the ongoing conflict in the region. “I am encouraged by the continued dialogue between India and Pakistan and credit must be given to both sides on this. I very much hope that following the recent political changes in Pakistan a fresh and hopeful dialogue can continue. The EU can play its part by acting as a facilitator for further talks involving India, Pakistan and the Kashmiri people. “This has been going on for over sixty years and we must now at long last try to find a just solution. The Kashmiri people have waited long enough.”   Notes to Editors:  Liz Lynne MEP has for many years campaigned for a peaceful solution to the conflict in Kashmir. She has travelled to the region and also discussed the issue with Pakistani leader General Pervez Musharraf and the Prime Minister of Pakistani-administered Kashmir, Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan. She also submitted many amendments in favour of Kashmiri self-determination for last year’s European Parliamentary report on the troubled region. Earlier this year she co-chaired the Global Discourse on Kashmir 2008 at the European Parliament in Brussels.  For further information, comment or to book an interview, please contact Liz Lynne on 0776 445 2725 or +32 2 284 7521.

Tue 17th Jun 2008:

European Commission to honour plans for anti-discrimination directive.

The European Commission has agreed to bring forward a new comprehensive anti-discrimination directive, despite objections from some Member States, after a fierce lobbying campaign by European Parliamentarians and NGOs. This campaign culminated in the adoption of a key report in the European Parliament last month by Liberal Democrat MEP Liz Lynne (ALDE,UK), which called on the European Commission to honour its plans for a comprehensive directive.Promised by the Commission in it's 2008 Work Programme, the directive will outlaw discrimination in access to goods and services covering all areas presently excluded, including disability, age, religion or belief and sexual orientation. Liz Lynne MEP, Vice President of the Employment and Social Affairs Committee, who also recently launched a public petition in support of a new directive, said: “I am delighted that the President of the Commission has now seen sense. I know Commissioner Spidla has been working towards this end and I am pleased that the European Commission will now deliver on its promise to bring forward a comprehensive directive to outlaw discrimination in access to goods and services on all grounds currently not covered under Article 13 legislation, including disability, age, religion or belief and sexual orientation. “The European Parliament, in adopting my recent report, sent a strong signal to the Commission and Member States that their could be no backtracking when it comes to anti-discrimination and human rights, which I believe is the basis on which the European Union was founded; "The challenge now is to ensure that the proposal is workable and achieves its aims and I will be urging the Commission to look at successful national legislation across Member States for examples of best practice in this field; there is no need to reinvent the wheel. "My hope is those business organisations and Member States who have opposed this directive will now look at these proposals in detail and can be convinced of the need for this legislation, which I believe is vital if we are to put and end to the current hierarchy of rights and the ridiculous idea that it is alright to discriminate against one section of society.”   Notes: Text of Liz Lynne’s report as adopted by the European Parliament last month; http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A6-2008-0159&language=EN Current EU anti-discrimination laws prohibit discrimination in the workplace on all grounds (Employment Directive 2000) but only provides protection against discrimination in access to goods and services on the basis of gender and race (Equal Treatment Directive and the Race Directive respectively). Liz Lynne’s campaign and petition to persuade the Commission and member States to press ahead with a horizontal directive can be found here: www.signtostopdiscrimination.org For further information, comment or to book an interview, please contact Liz Lynne on 0033 388 177521 or 0044 776 445 2725.

UK refusal to join EU deportation standards regrettable.

MEPs will vote tomorrow  (Wednesday June 18th) on whether to approve a compromise text of the controversial 'Return directive' on which European Parliament negotiators and the Council of Ministers have reached agreement after 3 years of negotiation. It establishes EU-wide rules on conditions for detention and deportation of foreign illegal immigrants including visa overstayers and rejected asylum-seekers.  The new directive promotes voluntary returns as far as possible but provides a wide range of safeguards, such as limits on detention, provision for appeals, constraining the use of force, special provision for lone children, respect for best interest of the child, family life and state of health, and caveats for imposition of a re-entry ban. Commenting on the directive and the refusal of the UK government to 'opt in' to it, Liberal Democrat European Justice Spokeswoman Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP, said: “It is ironic and deplorable that in UK Refugee Week and just as the world prepares to celebrate World Refugee Day on Friday June 20th, the UK government is refusing to sign up to this EU law which will oblige national standards on deportation to be raised. The European Parliament secured considerable human rights improvements from unwilling national governments. "No doubt the UK refuses to participate because it does not want its hands tied in the way it detains families including young children for long periods without the prospect of imminent removal, locks up immigration detainees with convicted criminals, and fails to give migrants adequate appeal rights or legal aid. "This Directive, while imperfect, provides rules where none exist at present in 9 EU Member states and thus enhances human rights. While the concerns expressed by respected NGOs are understandable, the stance of others - that there should never be involuntary returns - is unrealistic if we want well-managed borders and refugee procedures which gain public confidence. "As part of a comprehensive EU approach to migration, which must include a fair asylum system and a rational legal immigration policy as well as measures to combat illegal migration, we have to be able to return people, even against their will."

Full liberalisation of electricity markets for all of Europe, say Lib Dems.

The European Parliament is to vote on a key legislative proposal tomorrow that will seek to open up electricity markets across all EU Member States. This legislation has the potential to be of benefit to consumers and electricity providers alike. Although the UK electricity market has been fully liberalised, UK electricity companies do not have the opportunity to invest on other countries markets in the way that foreign owned electricity companies can invest in the UK market. The legislation also includes some key consumer protection provisions: all homes should have access to smart meters within 10 years, and consumers will have the right to withdraw from contracts with an electricity provider without charge, the right to change suppliers within two weeks and the access to information on the environmental impact from the electricity produced by the supplier. Commenting ahead of the vote, Fiona Hall MEP, Liberal Democrat Energy Spokesperson and the European Parliament's rapporteur on energy efficiency, said: "It is about time that the rest of Europe caught up with the UK in terms of ownership unbundling. The need to separate ownership of electricity generation from transmission unfortunately has not been an idea universally held by all Member States. But it is long overdue and will be of benefit to consumers across the EU. "It is encouraging that a binding requirement to introduce smart meters is included in this new legislation as earlier requirements have been largely ignored. "In anticipation of the Renewables Directive currently being discussed in Parliament, electricity from renewable sources will have priority access to the grid. This will put an end to energy giants blocking access to smaller and more environmentally-friendly forms of electricity generation.

Salvage Operation, By Andrew Duff - Financial Times.

Nobody who knows Irish politics can have been truly surprised by Ireland’s rejection of the Lisbon Treaty. There are many causes. Ireland is a place where nationalist identity is strong. Its post-colonial relationship with the UK is inevitably complicated. Less obvious is its love-hate affair with the US Although the Irish republican cause relied on US support, Sinn Féin is the fiercest defender of Irish ‘neutrality’ vis-à-vis Nato (and Anglo-US imperialism). Meanwhile, the Irish Right has borrowed the language (and money) of American neo-conservatism in the belief that a strong European Union imperils Nato and the transatlantic partnership. Former Taoiseach Garret Fitzgerald complains that the Irish are too courteous to mention their disgust at corruption in high places. They are also too polite to speak openly about their hostility to immigration, mainly from other EU countries. Both factors played their part in turning voters against the Dublin political establishment and hence against the Lisbon Treaty. The pro-Lisbon political parties ran a poor campaign: late, fractious and lacking in verve. At no time during the campaign were the true consequences for Ireland and Europe of a No vote starkly spelled out. Whatever the reasons, the result is devastating for the EU both internally and externally. It has stalled in a dramatic way the efforts of the EU, going back several years, to settle its constitutional future. Above all, it is a setback for the growth of European parliamentary democracy. Plans to make the governance of the Union more efficient and transparent are lost. And the EU will not, after all, enjoy the greater role in international affairs that was prescribed by Lisbon. Global leadership in climate change will be hard to assert. Progress in building common policies in justice and interior affairs, including asylum and immigration, will be negligible. Enlargement of the membership of the EU beyond Croatia is now impossible. Assertions from Berlin and Paris that the Irish No is an Irish problem that needs to be resolved in Ireland are unhelpful. The Irish establishment has been badly, if deservedly dished; it will take a long time to recover its nerve. Ireland will not be bullied into holding another referendum on the Treaty of Lisbon. If there was one common thread running through the complaints of the nay-sayers it was that the Brussels juggernaut sweeps all before it regardless of democratic decisions. That typical eurosceptic sentiment is shared widely elsewhere, especially in Britain, and it would be hugely aggravated by a decision of the leaders of the larger states or the EU institutions to carry on regardless. In legal terms, Ireland’s No is just as important as a Yes from its 26 partners. Every EU government has fixed itself with superglue to its veto rights on treaty amendment. Even France and Germany upheld the national veto during the treaty negotiations: it ill behoves them now to question the validity of Ireland’s veto. So a delicate but large-scale salvage operation is needed. Irish prime minister Brian Cowen will not be able to bring to the European Council on 19 June worked-out proposals for a renegotiation of the Treaty of Lisbon that would allow him to win another referendum at home. Non-binding declarations glued on to the back of the treaty are unlikely to convince anyone. Binding protocols, however, would need ratification all over again in 27 member states - a prospect that few of his fellow heads of government are prepared to contemplate. The only concrete decision that the European Council could take would be to declare that they will, in the event, exercise the discretion that they have under Lisbon not to reduce the size of the Commiss