Activities of Michael CASHMAN related to 2011/2317(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
Activities of the Committee on Petitions (2011) (debate)
Amendments (8)
Amendment 10 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the Committee on Petitions has the duty to constantly review and, where possible, to enhance its role, notably with regard to the development of democratic principles,; increased citizen participation in the EU decision-making process, improving transparency and accountability and whereas in its regular activity the Committee works closely with the Commission acting as the ‘Guardian of the Treaty’ which defines the Commission's role and prevents it from intervening in matters not covered by EU legislation;
Amendment 32 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital L
Recital L
L. whereas the right of European citizens and residents to their legitimately acquired property continues to be an issue of grave significance for many thousands of people, as demonstrated by the petitions which are still being received on this subject, notably as regards perceived abuses of this right in Spain, on which the European Parliament has previously adopted a clear position7 ; and whereas without a resolution of this problem by the competent authorities there is no likelihood of legal certainty or trust in Spain's property rights, and economic confidence in the housing market or the banking system being restored;
Amendment 38 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital O
Recital O
O. whereas the shortcomings and problems faced by people as a result of the malfunctioning of the internal market, as illustrated by petitions, are confirmed by the European Citizenship Report 20108 , in particular as regards free movement of EU citizens and their family members, access to social security entitlements, mutual recognition of qualifications, obstacles faced by the disabled, family law issues including same-sex couples and their children and mass expulsions on the basis of ethnic or national origin such as those affecting the Roma, including also double- taxation issues;
Amendment 53 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Believes, therefore, that this role and responsibility should lead Parliament to consider ways of revitalising this fundamental part of parliamentary work both in terms of its visibility, accountability and transparency and in terms of improving its ability to raise issues of importance to European citizens in plenary, as well as by reinforcing its competence to call witnesses and investigate more independently issues raised by citizens;
Amendment 61 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes Parliament's decision to develop a much more practical and visible petitions portal on its website, which will facilitate access for citizens to the petitions process, provide them with information and allow them to submit petitions in a more user-friendly environment; considers that this portal should also provide practical links to other forms of redress which are available at European and national or regional level as well as a comprehensive overview of the competence of the Petitions Committee;
Amendment 72 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Reiterates its numerous calls on the Member States to comply with their obligations under the Free Movement Directive 2004/38/EC on the right of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the EU; reminds Member States of their obligation to facilitate entry and residence without any discrimination including for same-sex couples and their children, Roma and other minority groups;
Amendment 83 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Continues to support the efforts of petitioners to put pressure on the Spanish Government and local authorities to resolve the problems surrounding the Ley de Costas and its retrospective application; to this end supports the decision of the Petitions Committee to establish a working group at political level to consider the issue;
Amendment 94 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Urges the Spanish Government to revise the Ley de Costas in such a way as to guarantee title to those who have properly and in good faith acquired property within the reach of the jurisdiction of the Ley de Costas; in particular, calls for a reform of the Ley de Costas which ensures due process, a right of appeal, propersatisfactory compensation, and the right to reliable information and which protects against retroactive or discriminatory actions;