COM (2004) 677 is a proposal for a Council decision to establish a joint consultative committee comprising local and regional authorities from Romania and the European Union. Is it agreed that the joint committee should note this proposal? Agreed.
COM (2004) 634 is a proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and the Council concerning the establishment of a European pollutant release and transfer register and amending Council Directives 91/689/EEC and 96/61/EC. Is it agreed that the joint committee should note this proposal? Agreed.
COM (2004) 635 is a proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf the European Parliament, of a European pollutant release and transfer register. Is it agreed that the joint committee should note this proposal? Agreed.
COM (2004) 624 is a proposal for a Council regulation concerning the implementation of Protocol No. 4 and Protocol No. 9 in relation to the Ignalina nuclear plant in Lithuania and the Bohunice V1 plant in Slovakia. Is it agreed that the joint committee should note this proposal? Agreed.
Two proposals have been referred to the joint committee for further scrutiny. The first is COM (2004) 621, a proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and the Council concerning the financial instrument for the LIFE + programme. This document deals with the LIFE + programme, the dedicated financial instrument in support of environment policy. This programme will succeed the LIFE programme that expires at the end of 2006. It is intended to support the priorities of the sixth environmental action programme, 2002-12, the aims of which are included in the documentation circulated to members who will note that as negotiations are ongoing, amendments may still be made. I propose that the committee issue an invitation to the Department to attend for further discussion and input by members. Is that agreed? Agreed. Further briefing material has been circulated.
COM (2004) 606 is a proposal for a Council decision amending Directive 2002/95/EC for the purposes of establishing the maximum concentration values for certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. This document deals with the maximum permissible concentration levels of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. Clarification from the Department shows that while Ireland is in favour of the proposal, other member states seek a total ban on the use of certain hazardous substances. Is it agreed that the joint committee should note this proposal? Agreed.
The Sub-Committee on European Scrutiny has advised that no proposals have been referred to this committee arising from its meeting of 27 January 2005.
The joint committee went into private session at 4.05 p.m. and adjourned at 4.10 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday, 9 February 2005.