BETA


2008/2028(INI) Report on the deliberations of the Committee on Petitions - Citizens' petitions during the year 2007

Progress: Procedure completed

RoleCommitteeRapporteurShadows
Lead PETI HAMMERSTEIN David (icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE)
Lead committee dossier:
Legal Basis:
RoP 227-p7

Events

2009/01/29
   EC - Commission response to text adopted in plenary
Documents
2008/10/17
   EC - Commission response to text adopted in plenary
Documents
2008/09/23
   EP - Results of vote in Parliament
2008/09/23
   EP - Decision by Parliament
Details

The European Parliament adopted by 603 votes to 17, with 25 abstentions, a resolution on the deliberations of the Committee on Petitions during the parliamentary year 2007.

The own initiative report had been tabled in plenary by David HAMMERSTEIN (Greens/EFA, ES) on behalf of the Committee on Petitions.

Reinforcing investigation methods : while welcoming the close collaboration between the Committee on Petitions and the services of the Commission and the Ombudsman, MEPs are, nevertheless, convinced that the Committee on Petitions itself should be offered the possibility to further enhance its own independent investigatory facilities, notably through the reinforcement of its secretariat and its legal expertise.

Improve the examination procedure : Parliament considers that the current procedure for registration of petitions unduly delays their examination and it is concerned that this may be perceived as displaying a certain lack of sensitivity towards petitioners . It calls for the initiation of negotiations between Parliament and the Commission with a view to better coordinating their work on complaints in a way that facilitates, simplifies and streamlines the complaint procedures and makes them more transparent and expeditious. MEPs support the formalisation of a procedure whereby petitions in the field of the internal market are transferred to the SOLVIT network with a view to significantly shortening the petitions process in the field of internal market issues (such as car taxes, recognition of professional qualifications, residence permits, border controls and access to education).

Increase visibility : Parliament reiterates its requests to its Secretary-General to conduct an urgent review of the "Citizens Portal" on Parliament's website with the objective of enhancing the visibility of the portal as regards the right of petition and to ensure that citizens are provided with the means to append their signatures electronically in support of petitions. It urges that the Citizen's Portal must ensure web-browsing software interoperability in order to provide citizens with equal rights of access in this respect. In the context of development of the e-Petition system, the introduction of an IT facility for online tracking aimed at petitioners would help to create a more transparent and efficient process by means of, inter alia , regular status updates and calls for additional information; notes that such a measure would better meet the expectations of EU citizens while also fostering improved performance of the institutional responsibilities incumbent on Parliament and on its Committee on Petitions.

Infringement procedures : i n general, the Parliament expresses concern about the excessive length of time taken to conclude infringement cases by the Commission services and the Court of Justice. It therefore calls for the introduction of more stringent timescales. It also expresses its doubts about the efficiency of the so-called 'horizontal infringement procedures', which take longer to conclude and calls for a review of the infringement procedure aimed at ensuring greater respect for the application of EU legislative acts. The Commission is invited to t ake full account of the recommendations of the Committee on Petitions when reaching decisions regarding the initiation of infringement proceedings against Member States, and reiterates its demand that the Committee on Petitions be directly and officially notified by the Commission when an infringement procedure is launched which is related to a petition under consideration by the Committee.

Respect for environmental legislation : the Commission is called upon, when dealing with petitions and complaints related to environmental policy – which is one of the predominant concerns of petitioners in the EU –, to be more ready to act to prevent breaches of Community law. Parliament notes also the criticisms raised by the Committee on Petitions following its fact-finding visit to the Loiret, in France, in 2007, and in particular requests the French authorities to act decisively to ensure compliance with EU directives which risk being infringed should certain planned projects for the construction of bridges over the River Loire be allowed to go ahead. It also notes the report on the fact-finding visit to Poland which made recommendations concerning the protection of the Rospuda Valley and the last primeval forest in Europe. MEPs express their ongoing concern about the lack of implementation of the provisions of the Drinking Water Directive in Ireland.

Fundamental Rights : the resolution notes that a growing number of petitions received, notably from citizens from the new Member States, concern the question of the restitution of property, even though this subject remains essentially one of national competence. MEPs urge the Member States involved to ensure that their laws concerning property rights resulting from regime change are fully in accordance with Treaty requirements and the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights. Parliament reaffirms its commitment to uphold the recognition of rights of EU citizens to their private property which has been legally obtained, and condemns all attempts to divest families of their property without due process, proper compensation or respect for their personal integrity. MEPs note the growing number of petitions and letters received by the Committee on Petitions concerning the most sensitive matter of child custody, on which it is extremely difficult to take action. Parliament expresses its concern and dismay at reports by petitioners that, even when they have obtained the support of the Committee on Petitions on the substance of their petition, they too often experience great difficulty in obtaining any compensation from the authorities and national courts involved. It believes that such systemic weaknesses need to be further investigated, notably in so far as they apply to the financial services sector.

A single seat for the European Parliament : among the petitions considered by the Committee on Petitions in 2007 included – the so-called "One Seat" petition, which was supported by 1.25 million EU citizens and which called for a single seat for the European Parliament, to be located in Brussels. In October 2007 the President referred the petition back to the committee, which subsequently called for Parliament to give its opinion on this question, bearing in mind that the seat of the institution is governed by the provisions of the Treaty and that the Member States have the responsibility for taking a decision on this matter.

Lastly, MEPs resolve to review the name of the Committee on Petitions for the next legislative term, so as to underline the element of participatory democracy in the right of petition. They suggest that the term "Committee on Citizens' Petitions" may be more easily understandable.

Documents
2008/09/23
   EP - End of procedure in Parliament
2008/09/22
   EP - Debate in Parliament
2008/09/10
   EP - Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading
Documents
2008/09/10
   EP - Committee report tabled for plenary
Documents
2008/09/01
   EP - Vote in committee
Details

The Committee on Petitions adopted an own initiative report by David HAMMERSTEIN (Greens/EFA, ES) on the deliberations of the Committee on Petitions during the parliamentary year 2007.

While welcoming the close collaboration between the Committee on Petitions and the services of the Commission and the Ombudsman, MEPs are, nevertheless, convinced that the Committee on Petitions itself should be offered the possibility to further enhance its own independent investigatory facilities, notably through the reinforcement of its secretariat and its legal expertise.

MEPs consider that the current procedure for registration of petitions unduly delays their examination. They support the formalisation of a procedure whereby petitions in the field of the internal market are transferred to the SOLVIT network with a view to significantly shortening the petitions process in the field of internal market issues (such as car taxes, recognition of professional qualifications, residence permits, border controls and access to education). They reiterate their requests to the Secretary-General to conduct an urgent review of the "Citizens Portal" on Parliament's website with the objective of enhancing the visibility of the portal as regards the right of petition. In this context, they call for the introduction of an IT facility for online tracking aimed at petitioners.

The report calls for the initiation of negotiations between Parliament and the Commission with a view to better coordinating their work on complaints in a way that facilitates, simplifies and streamlines the complaint procedures and makes them more transparent and expeditious. MEPs also reiterate the need for greater involvement on the part of Council and the Member States' Permanent Representations in the activities of the Committee on Petitions.

The Commission is called upon to take full account of the recommendations of the Committee on Petitions when reaching decisions regarding the initiation of infringement proceedings against Member States. In this respect, the Committee on Petitions should be directly and officially notified by the Commission when an infringement procedure is launched which is related to a petition under consideration by the committee.

In general, the Committee on Petitions expresses concern about the excessive length of time taken to conclude infringement cases by the Commission services and the Court of Justice. It therefore calls for the introduction of more stringent timescales. It also expresses its doubts about the efficiency of the so-called 'horizontal infringement procedures', which take longer to conclude and calls for a review of the infringement procedure aimed at ensuring greater respect for the application of EU legislative acts.

The Commission is called upon, when dealing with petitions and complaints related to environmental policy – which is one of the predominant concerns of petitioners in the EU –, to be more ready to act to prevent breaches of Community law.

The committee also expresses its concern at reports by petitioners that, even when they have obtained the support of the Committee on Petitions on the substance of their petition, they too often experience great difficulty in obtaining any compensation from the authorities and national courts involved. It considers that such systemic weaknesses need to be further investigated, notably in so far as they apply to the financial services sector.

The report notes that a growing number of petitions received, notably from citizens from the new Member States, concern the question of the restitution of property, even though this subject remains essentially one of national competence. MEPs call on the Member States concerned to ensure that their laws on property rights resulting from regime change are fully in accordance with Treaty requirements and the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights. MEPs also note the growing number of petitions and letters received by the Committee on Petitions concerning the most sensitive matter of child custody, on which it is extremely difficult to take action.

Lastly, the report resolves to review the name of the Committee on Petitions for the next legislative term, so as to underline the element of participatory democracy in the right of petition. MEPs suggest that the term "Committee on Citizens' Petitions" may be more easily understandable.

2008/07/07
   EP - Amendments tabled in committee
Documents
2008/06/11
   EP - Committee draft report
Documents
2008/02/25
   EP - HAMMERSTEIN David (Verts/ALE) appointed as rapporteur in PETI
2008/02/21
   EP - Committee referral announced in Parliament

Documents

Activities

Votes

Rapport Hammerstein A6-0336/2008 - am. 1 #

2008/09/23 Outcome: -: 323, +: 302, 0: 27
GB SE DK FI PL BE NL LT LV EE MT CY IT LU SK PT EL BG SI CZ AT IE DE HU ES RO FR
Total
56
18
14
13
45
18
26
12
8
6
5
5
60
6
10
20
22
13
7
23
16
11
85
19
45
31
58
icon: ALDE ALDE
87

Sweden ALDE

2

Latvia ALDE

1

Estonia ALDE

2

Cyprus ALDE

For (1)

1

Luxembourg ALDE

For (1)

1

Slovenia ALDE

For (1)

Against (1)

2

Ireland ALDE

Against (1)

1

Hungary ALDE

1

Spain ALDE

1
icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE
42

United Kingdom Verts/ALE

5

Sweden Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Denmark Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Finland Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Belgium Verts/ALE

2

Latvia Verts/ALE

1

Italy Verts/ALE

2

Luxembourg Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Austria Verts/ALE

2

Romania Verts/ALE

1
icon: GUE/NGL GUE/NGL
37

Sweden GUE/NGL

2

Denmark GUE/NGL

1

Finland GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Netherlands GUE/NGL

2

Cyprus GUE/NGL

For (1)

2

Portugal GUE/NGL

3

Greece GUE/NGL

3

Ireland GUE/NGL

1

Spain GUE/NGL

For (1)

1
icon: UEN UEN
37

Denmark UEN

Against (1)

1

Lithuania UEN

2
icon: IND/DEM IND/DEM
20

Sweden IND/DEM

2

Denmark IND/DEM

For (1)

1

Poland IND/DEM

3

Netherlands IND/DEM

2

Greece IND/DEM

1

Czechia IND/DEM

Abstain (1)

1

Ireland IND/DEM

For (1)

1
icon: PSE PSE
156

Finland PSE

Against (1)

3

Lithuania PSE

Against (1)

2

Estonia PSE

For (1)

Against (2)

3

Malta PSE

Abstain (1)

3

Luxembourg PSE

Against (1)

1

Slovakia PSE

Against (1)

2

Bulgaria PSE

For (1)

4

Slovenia PSE

Against (1)

1

Czechia PSE

Abstain (1)

1

Ireland PSE

Against (1)

1
icon: NI NI
20

United Kingdom NI

Against (2)

Abstain (1)

5
2

Belgium NI

Abstain (1)

1

Italy NI

Against (1)

3

Slovakia NI

3

Czechia NI

Against (1)

1

Austria NI

Abstain (1)

2
icon: PPE-DE PPE-DE
253

Denmark PPE-DE

Against (1)

1

Lithuania PPE-DE

1

Latvia PPE-DE

3

Estonia PPE-DE

Against (1)

1

Malta PPE-DE

Against (2)

2

Cyprus PPE-DE

2

Luxembourg PPE-DE

3

Slovenia PPE-DE

4

Ireland PPE-DE

3

Rapport Hammerstein A6-0336/2008 - résolution #

2008/09/23 Outcome: +: 603, 0: 25, -: 17
DE IT FR ES PL GB RO NL HU PT CZ EL BE FI BG AT LT DK IE SE SK LV SI LU CY MT EE
Total
86
62
54
42
43
54
32
27
20
20
23
23
18
14
13
15
12
12
11
18
10
9
7
6
5
5
4
icon: PPE-DE PPE-DE
251

Lithuania PPE-DE

1

Denmark PPE-DE

1

Ireland PPE-DE

3

Luxembourg PPE-DE

3

Cyprus PPE-DE

2

Malta PPE-DE

2

Estonia PPE-DE

For (1)

1
icon: PSE PSE
150

Czechia PSE

For (1)

1

Lithuania PSE

2

Ireland PSE

1

Slovakia PSE

2

Slovenia PSE

For (1)

1

Luxembourg PSE

For (1)

1

Estonia PSE

For (1)

1
icon: ALDE ALDE
86

Spain ALDE

1

Hungary ALDE

1

Denmark ALDE

3

Ireland ALDE

For (1)

1

Sweden ALDE

For (1)

Abstain (1)

2

Latvia ALDE

1

Slovenia ALDE

2

Luxembourg ALDE

For (1)

1

Cyprus ALDE

For (1)

1

Estonia ALDE

2
icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE
42

Italy Verts/ALE

2

United Kingdom Verts/ALE

5

Romania Verts/ALE

1

Belgium Verts/ALE

2

Finland Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Austria Verts/ALE

2

Denmark Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Sweden Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Latvia Verts/ALE

1

Luxembourg Verts/ALE

For (1)

1
icon: GUE/NGL GUE/NGL
38

Spain GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Netherlands GUE/NGL

2

Portugal GUE/NGL

3

Finland GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Denmark GUE/NGL

1

Ireland GUE/NGL

1

Sweden GUE/NGL

2

Cyprus GUE/NGL

2
icon: UEN UEN
37

Lithuania UEN

2

Denmark UEN

For (1)

1
icon: NI NI
23

Italy NI

Abstain (1)

3

United Kingdom NI

For (1)

Abstain (2)

5

Czechia NI

Abstain (1)

1

Belgium NI

3

Austria NI

Against (1)

2
icon: IND/DEM IND/DEM
18

France IND/DEM

2

Poland IND/DEM

3

Netherlands IND/DEM

2

Czechia IND/DEM

Abstain (1)

1

Greece IND/DEM

Abstain (1)

1

Denmark IND/DEM

For (1)

1

Ireland IND/DEM

For (1)

1

Sweden IND/DEM

2
AmendmentsDossier
50 2008/2028(INI)
2008/07/02 PETI 50 amendments...
source: PE-409.508

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)

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summary
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type
Responsible Committee
body
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committee_full
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committee
PETI
rapporteur
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committees/0
type
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docs/4/body
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activities
  • date: 2008-02-21T00:00:00 body: EP type: Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading committees: body: EP responsible: True committee: PETI date: 2008-02-25T00:00:00 committee_full: Petitions rapporteur: group: Verts/ALE name: HAMMERSTEIN David
  • date: 2008-09-01T00:00:00 body: EP committees: body: EP responsible: True committee: PETI date: 2008-02-25T00:00:00 committee_full: Petitions rapporteur: group: Verts/ALE name: HAMMERSTEIN David type: Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
  • date: 2008-09-10T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A6-2008-336&language=EN type: Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading title: A6-0336/2008 body: EP type: Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading
  • date: 2008-09-22T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20080922&type=CRE type: Debate in Parliament title: Debate in Parliament body: EP type: Debate in Parliament
  • date: 2008-09-23T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=16038&l=en type: Results of vote in Parliament title: Results of vote in Parliament url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P6-TA-2008-437 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading title: T6-0437/2008 body: EP type: Results of vote in Parliament
commission
  • body: EC dg: Secretariat-General commissioner: WALLSTRÖM Margot
committees/0
type
Responsible Committee
body
EP
associated
False
committee_full
Petitions
committee
PETI
date
2008-02-25T00:00:00
rapporteur
name: HAMMERSTEIN David group: Greens/European Free Alliance abbr: Verts/ALE
committees/0
body
EP
responsible
True
committee
PETI
date
2008-02-25T00:00:00
committee_full
Petitions
rapporteur
group: Verts/ALE name: HAMMERSTEIN David
docs
  • date: 2008-06-11T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE405.974 title: PE405.974 type: Committee draft report body: EP
  • date: 2008-07-07T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE409.508 title: PE409.508 type: Amendments tabled in committee body: EP
  • date: 2008-09-10T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A6-2008-336&language=EN title: A6-0336/2008 type: Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading body: EP
  • date: 2008-10-17T00:00:00 docs: url: /oeil/spdoc.do?i=16038&j=1&l=en title: SP(2008)6073 type: Commission response to text adopted in plenary
  • date: 2009-01-29T00:00:00 docs: url: /oeil/spdoc.do?i=16038&j=0&l=en title: SP(2008)6487 type: Commission response to text adopted in plenary
events
  • date: 2008-02-21T00:00:00 type: Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP
  • date: 2008-09-01T00:00:00 type: Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading body: EP summary: The Committee on Petitions adopted an own initiative report by David HAMMERSTEIN (Greens/EFA, ES) on the deliberations of the Committee on Petitions during the parliamentary year 2007. While welcoming the close collaboration between the Committee on Petitions and the services of the Commission and the Ombudsman, MEPs are, nevertheless, convinced that the Committee on Petitions itself should be offered the possibility to further enhance its own independent investigatory facilities, notably through the reinforcement of its secretariat and its legal expertise. MEPs consider that the current procedure for registration of petitions unduly delays their examination. They support the formalisation of a procedure whereby petitions in the field of the internal market are transferred to the SOLVIT network with a view to significantly shortening the petitions process in the field of internal market issues (such as car taxes, recognition of professional qualifications, residence permits, border controls and access to education). They reiterate their requests to the Secretary-General to conduct an urgent review of the "Citizens Portal" on Parliament's website with the objective of enhancing the visibility of the portal as regards the right of petition. In this context, they call for the introduction of an IT facility for online tracking aimed at petitioners. The report calls for the initiation of negotiations between Parliament and the Commission with a view to better coordinating their work on complaints in a way that facilitates, simplifies and streamlines the complaint procedures and makes them more transparent and expeditious. MEPs also reiterate the need for greater involvement on the part of Council and the Member States' Permanent Representations in the activities of the Committee on Petitions. The Commission is called upon to take full account of the recommendations of the Committee on Petitions when reaching decisions regarding the initiation of infringement proceedings against Member States. In this respect, the Committee on Petitions should be directly and officially notified by the Commission when an infringement procedure is launched which is related to a petition under consideration by the committee. In general, the Committee on Petitions expresses concern about the excessive length of time taken to conclude infringement cases by the Commission services and the Court of Justice. It therefore calls for the introduction of more stringent timescales. It also expresses its doubts about the efficiency of the so-called 'horizontal infringement procedures', which take longer to conclude and calls for a review of the infringement procedure aimed at ensuring greater respect for the application of EU legislative acts. The Commission is called upon, when dealing with petitions and complaints related to environmental policy – which is one of the predominant concerns of petitioners in the EU –, to be more ready to act to prevent breaches of Community law. The committee also expresses its concern at reports by petitioners that, even when they have obtained the support of the Committee on Petitions on the substance of their petition, they too often experience great difficulty in obtaining any compensation from the authorities and national courts involved. It considers that such systemic weaknesses need to be further investigated, notably in so far as they apply to the financial services sector. The report notes that a growing number of petitions received, notably from citizens from the new Member States, concern the question of the restitution of property, even though this subject remains essentially one of national competence. MEPs call on the Member States concerned to ensure that their laws on property rights resulting from regime change are fully in accordance with Treaty requirements and the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights. MEPs also note the growing number of petitions and letters received by the Committee on Petitions concerning the most sensitive matter of child custody, on which it is extremely difficult to take action. Lastly, the report resolves to review the name of the Committee on Petitions for the next legislative term, so as to underline the element of participatory democracy in the right of petition. MEPs suggest that the term "Committee on Citizens' Petitions" may be more easily understandable.
  • date: 2008-09-10T00:00:00 type: Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A6-2008-336&language=EN title: A6-0336/2008
  • date: 2008-09-22T00:00:00 type: Debate in Parliament body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20080922&type=CRE title: Debate in Parliament
  • date: 2008-09-23T00:00:00 type: Results of vote in Parliament body: EP docs: url: https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=16038&l=en title: Results of vote in Parliament
  • date: 2008-09-23T00:00:00 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P6-TA-2008-437 title: T6-0437/2008 summary: The European Parliament adopted by 603 votes to 17, with 25 abstentions, a resolution on the deliberations of the Committee on Petitions during the parliamentary year 2007. The own initiative report had been tabled in plenary by David HAMMERSTEIN (Greens/EFA, ES) on behalf of the Committee on Petitions. Reinforcing investigation methods : while welcoming the close collaboration between the Committee on Petitions and the services of the Commission and the Ombudsman, MEPs are, nevertheless, convinced that the Committee on Petitions itself should be offered the possibility to further enhance its own independent investigatory facilities, notably through the reinforcement of its secretariat and its legal expertise. Improve the examination procedure : Parliament considers that the current procedure for registration of petitions unduly delays their examination and it is concerned that this may be perceived as displaying a certain lack of sensitivity towards petitioners . It calls for the initiation of negotiations between Parliament and the Commission with a view to better coordinating their work on complaints in a way that facilitates, simplifies and streamlines the complaint procedures and makes them more transparent and expeditious. MEPs support the formalisation of a procedure whereby petitions in the field of the internal market are transferred to the SOLVIT network with a view to significantly shortening the petitions process in the field of internal market issues (such as car taxes, recognition of professional qualifications, residence permits, border controls and access to education). Increase visibility : Parliament reiterates its requests to its Secretary-General to conduct an urgent review of the "Citizens Portal" on Parliament's website with the objective of enhancing the visibility of the portal as regards the right of petition and to ensure that citizens are provided with the means to append their signatures electronically in support of petitions. It urges that the Citizen's Portal must ensure web-browsing software interoperability in order to provide citizens with equal rights of access in this respect. In the context of development of the e-Petition system, the introduction of an IT facility for online tracking aimed at petitioners would help to create a more transparent and efficient process by means of, inter alia , regular status updates and calls for additional information; notes that such a measure would better meet the expectations of EU citizens while also fostering improved performance of the institutional responsibilities incumbent on Parliament and on its Committee on Petitions. Infringement procedures : i n general, the Parliament expresses concern about the excessive length of time taken to conclude infringement cases by the Commission services and the Court of Justice. It therefore calls for the introduction of more stringent timescales. It also expresses its doubts about the efficiency of the so-called 'horizontal infringement procedures', which take longer to conclude and calls for a review of the infringement procedure aimed at ensuring greater respect for the application of EU legislative acts. The Commission is invited to t ake full account of the recommendations of the Committee on Petitions when reaching decisions regarding the initiation of infringement proceedings against Member States, and reiterates its demand that the Committee on Petitions be directly and officially notified by the Commission when an infringement procedure is launched which is related to a petition under consideration by the Committee. Respect for environmental legislation : the Commission is called upon, when dealing with petitions and complaints related to environmental policy – which is one of the predominant concerns of petitioners in the EU –, to be more ready to act to prevent breaches of Community law. Parliament notes also the criticisms raised by the Committee on Petitions following its fact-finding visit to the Loiret, in France, in 2007, and in particular requests the French authorities to act decisively to ensure compliance with EU directives which risk being infringed should certain planned projects for the construction of bridges over the River Loire be allowed to go ahead. It also notes the report on the fact-finding visit to Poland which made recommendations concerning the protection of the Rospuda Valley and the last primeval forest in Europe. MEPs express their ongoing concern about the lack of implementation of the provisions of the Drinking Water Directive in Ireland. Fundamental Rights : the resolution notes that a growing number of petitions received, notably from citizens from the new Member States, concern the question of the restitution of property, even though this subject remains essentially one of national competence. MEPs urge the Member States involved to ensure that their laws concerning property rights resulting from regime change are fully in accordance with Treaty requirements and the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights. Parliament reaffirms its commitment to uphold the recognition of rights of EU citizens to their private property which has been legally obtained, and condemns all attempts to divest families of their property without due process, proper compensation or respect for their personal integrity. MEPs note the growing number of petitions and letters received by the Committee on Petitions concerning the most sensitive matter of child custody, on which it is extremely difficult to take action. Parliament expresses its concern and dismay at reports by petitioners that, even when they have obtained the support of the Committee on Petitions on the substance of their petition, they too often experience great difficulty in obtaining any compensation from the authorities and national courts involved. It believes that such systemic weaknesses need to be further investigated, notably in so far as they apply to the financial services sector. A single seat for the European Parliament : among the petitions considered by the Committee on Petitions in 2007 included – the so-called "One Seat" petition, which was supported by 1.25 million EU citizens and which called for a single seat for the European Parliament, to be located in Brussels. In October 2007 the President referred the petition back to the committee, which subsequently called for Parliament to give its opinion on this question, bearing in mind that the seat of the institution is governed by the provisions of the Treaty and that the Member States have the responsibility for taking a decision on this matter. Lastly, MEPs resolve to review the name of the Committee on Petitions for the next legislative term, so as to underline the element of participatory democracy in the right of petition. They suggest that the term "Committee on Citizens' Petitions" may be more easily understandable.
  • date: 2008-09-23T00:00:00 type: End of procedure in Parliament body: EP
links
other
  • body: EC dg: url: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/secretariat_general/index_en.htm title: Secretariat-General commissioner: WALLSTRÖM Margot
procedure/dossier_of_the_committee
Old
PETI/6/59276
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  • PETI/6/59276
procedure/legal_basis/0
Rules of Procedure EP 216-p8
procedure/legal_basis/0
Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament EP 216-p8
procedure/subject
Old
  • 1.20.03 Right of petition
  • 8.40.01.06 Committees, interparliamentary delegations
New
1.20.03
Right of petition
8.40.01.06
Committees, interparliamentary delegations
other/0/dg/title
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Secretariat General
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activities
  • date: 2008-02-21T00:00:00 body: EP type: Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading committees: body: EP responsible: True committee: PETI date: 2008-02-25T00:00:00 committee_full: Petitions rapporteur: group: Verts/ALE name: HAMMERSTEIN David
  • date: 2008-09-01T00:00:00 body: EP committees: body: EP responsible: True committee: PETI date: 2008-02-25T00:00:00 committee_full: Petitions rapporteur: group: Verts/ALE name: HAMMERSTEIN David type: Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
  • date: 2008-09-10T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A6-2008-336&language=EN type: Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading title: A6-0336/2008 body: EP type: Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading
  • date: 2008-09-22T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20080922&type=CRE type: Debate in Parliament title: Debate in Parliament body: EP type: Debate in Parliament
  • date: 2008-09-23T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=16038&l=en type: Results of vote in Parliament title: Results of vote in Parliament url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P6-TA-2008-437 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading title: T6-0437/2008 body: EP type: Results of vote in Parliament
committees
  • body: EP responsible: True committee: PETI date: 2008-02-25T00:00:00 committee_full: Petitions rapporteur: group: Verts/ALE name: HAMMERSTEIN David
links
other
  • body: EC dg: url: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/secretariat_general/index_en.htm title: Secretariat General commissioner: WALLSTRÖM Margot
procedure
dossier_of_the_committee
PETI/6/59276
reference
2008/2028(INI)
title
Report on the deliberations of the Committee on Petitions - Citizens' petitions during the year 2007
legal_basis
Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament EP 216-p8
stage_reached
Procedure completed
type
INI - Own-initiative procedure
subject