No. 1.1, COM (2005) 634 is a proposal for a directive on the promotion of clean road transport vehicles. The Commission's memorandum to this proposal outlines some of its recent thinking concerning energy and transport matters. It contends there is a considerable potential for reducing emissions from vehicles. The Commission is of the view that the European vehicle production industry is most likely to react to Community initiatives in this regard. The stated objective of this proposal is to require public bodies and transport operators providing services under concession or permission from a public body to set aside a quota of 25% of their annual procurement of certain vehicles to meet enhanced environmentally-friendly vehicles performance standards. The Department underlines that the Commission's analysis notes that public procurement of buses account for one third of the whole market in these vehicles. The proposal would not extend to cars and other light vehicles. The Department estimates additional procurement costs from the adoption of the measure of between 5% and 15% of the relevant budget.
It is proposed this significant proposal be referred to the Joint Committee on Transport for further scrutiny. It is also proposed that the proposed measure be forwarded for information to the Joint Committee on Environment and Local Government. A press release will also be issued on this proposal. Is that agreed? Agreed.
No. 1.2, COM (2006) 79, is proposal for a directive on enhancing supply chain security. Highlighting the threats to transport security in Europe, the Commission's memorandum to this proposal contends measures need to be taken at EU level to ensure security of supply of goods. The Commission is proposing, inter alia, that operators in the supply chain be responsible for their security performance in European freight transport; member states be required to establish a secure operator label that would be awarded to operators; member states have an obligation to establish a national scheme to grant secure operator status; and establishments with secure operator status could benefit from a reduced level of security control.
The status of secure operator would be awarded for three years and would follow the implementation of a documented security management system. The system would operate from the point of production to the point of delivery. The Department's note correctly identifies that the adoption of the proposed measure would have particular implications for geographically peripheral areas of the EU such as Ireland and that "aspects of this proposal could result in a slowing of the movement of Irish goods". Such a scenario could result in cost implications for the economy and consequently this proposal warrants further scrutiny by the sectorial committee.
It is proposed that the proposed measure be referred for further scrutiny to the Joint Committee on Transport. It is also proposed, given the highlighted potential of the proposed measure to impact upon trade between companies in Ireland and markets abroad, that it be forwarded for information to the Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business. Is that agreed? Agreed.
There are no Title IV measures for this meeting.
CFSP (2006) 708 is an amending Council joint action extending the European Union Integrated Rule of Law Mission for Iraq. It is proposed to note the measure. Is that agreed? Agreed.
No. 4.1, COM (2006) 581, is a proposal for a decision concerning the conclusion of the agreement between the European Community and the USA on co-ordination of an energy-efficiency labelling programme for office equipment. Energy Star is an international standard for energy efficient equipment. The aim of the current agreement between the USA and the European Community is to set common rules for its effective implementation. This proposal concerns approval for the conclusion of a revised agreement between the two parties. The Department has been requested to provide additional clarification to that already provided. In particular, the Department has been requested to give further background to the implications of the reference in the departmental note that the new agreement with the USA contains "new demanding and innovative energy efficiency criteria".
In particular, the Department has been requested to give further background to the implications of the reference in the departmental note that the new agreement with the USA contains "new demanding and innovative energy efficiency criteria". In that regard, the implications for Ireland of the adoption of that agreement have been also requested. It is proposed to defer consideration of the proposal until the Department has provided further clarification regarding the implications of the adoption of the proposed measure. Members will note that there is a related proposal, COM (2006) 576. Is that agreed? Agreed.
Some 26 proposals have been recommended for no further scrutiny. The first is COM (2006) 275, a Commission Green Paper entitled Towards a Future Maritime Policy for the Union: A European Vision for the Oceans and Seas. The Commission contends in the Green Paper that across the European Union policies on maritime transport, industry, coastal regions, offshore energy, fisheries, the marine environment and other relevant areas have been developed separately. The answer to those challenges, according to the Green Paper, is to bring all interrelated areas together and to "forge a new vision for the management of our relations with the oceans". An exceptionally long period of time has been offered by the Commission for the receipt of observations and suggestions by interested parties on how the ideas advanced in the Green Paper might be incorporated into an integrated maritime policy. That consultation phase is scheduled to end on 30 June 2007.
It is proposed that this significant Green Paper be forwarded for information and consideration to the Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. It is also proposed that the Green Paper be forwarded for information and consideration to the committees relating to the other Departments involved in the broad range of issues touched on by the Green Paper, as indicated in the departmental note. Is that agreed? Agreed.
