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

Thu 9th Oct 2008:

Rescuing the Lisbon treaty.

By Andrew Duff, MEP - Published: October 9 2008 15:13 Much to French President Sarkozy’s evident frustration, the Irish are stalling for time. By the time the European Council meets in Brussels next week four months will have passed since Ireland’s referendum blocked the ratification of the Lisbon treaty. Those four months have been almost entirely wasted.   Ireland’s beleaguered government made great play of mounting yet another survey of public opinion to find out why the naysayers won. In fact this poll, conducted by Millward Brown IMS, added very little to what close observers of the referendum campaign, supplemented by Eurobarometer polls, already knew. IMS began their survey in July, by which time a certain sobering up had taken place. The most interesting feature of the IMS inquiry is that as many as 20 per cent of the 862,415 people who voted No were ready to concede that the result had weakened Ireland’s position. Much now rests on the political evolution of that chastened 20 per cent. A considerable factor determining the outcome of the referendum was the constant bickering during the campaign among the five pro-European political parties. That bickering has since descended into open warfare, with spokesmen from the opposition Fine Gael and Labour parties calling on the government to demand substantive changes to the Treaty before a second referendum is held. Only now has agreement been reached to set up a new cross-party parliamentary committee to consider Ireland’s treaty options in a more considered way. Recriminations have also taken place within the government itself, putting more pressure on Taoiseach Brian Cowen to save his own skin first and the Lisbon treaty only second. Mr Cowen and his finance minister, Brian Lenihan, missed a good opportunity in September to appeal to their EU counterparts for urgent help in shoring up Ireland’s fragile banking system. On the assumption that such an appeal would have been met with a quick, coordinated and constructive response from Brussels and Frankfurt, the Irish people would have been given an impressive demonstration of the EU’s mission and value. Instead the Dublin government opted for panicky unilateral measures, ignoring EU state aid constraints, by offering full state guarantees for the total liabilities of Irish banks, estimated at €400 bn. Thus Ireland established a new EU low for beggar-thy-neighbour policies. In addition to sending the wrong signals back home, this performance hardly instils confidence elsewhere in the EU about the capability of the Irish government to do the right thing by Europe. Nicolas Sarkozy is determined to have a collective decision by the European Council in December about the fate of the Lisbon treaty. The special committee of the Oireachtas (the Irish houses of parliament) will try to build a new consensus between the parties by the end of November. Irish foreign minister Micheal Martin promises MEPs a definitive roadmap at that stage. Mr Cowen will have to build on that pledge next week when he meets his fellow heads of government, and should also include a commitment to running a more professional pro-treaty campaign than last time. So far at least, the coalition of the 26 member states which have ratified or intend to ratify remains intact, rendered even more solid in the teeth of the financial maelstrom. One supposes that the banking crisis will lead directly to more harmonised supervision and a toughened regulatory framework at the federal EU level. Peter Mandelson’s astonishing reincarnation as a member of the British cabinet should also kick-start the debate about sterling’s eventual membership of the euro. Things could even get better, on the European front at least, for Gordon Brown. Yet all hangs on whether the attempt to rescue the Lisbon treaty is successful or not. As a first step, Ireland’s partners should make it crystal clear that there can be no renegotiation of the treaty. They can even spell out unofficially the elements of the concessions they are preparing themselves to make at their next meeting in December in a bid to win the Irish electorate around. The main elements in that package are already fairly clear: interpretative declarations galore – but no protocols that would need ratification by other member states, Irish withdrawal from the European Defence Agency, and, most difficult to swallow, an agreement to postpone the eventual reduction of the size of the Commission sine die (or at least until 2019). On their side, the European Council, Commission and Parliament should ready themselves to make an emotional appeal to the Irish people’s legendary good nature. European solidarity matters in these uncertain times. But the EU institutions should also begin to dramatise the seriousness of the consequences for Ireland and for the rest of Europe if the Irish fail to change their mind. Certainly, the Irish are unlikely to change their mind unless they understand that the consequences of not doing so are indeed serious. Yet here lies a risk. One possible scenario, in the event of a second No, consists of a multiple opt-out, semi-detached but still viable EU membership for Ireland. The danger is that such semi-detachment might be just the thing that appeals to the Irish, who would then again vote No to the Lisbon treaty. If, on the other hand, an alternative scenario threatens a more complete exclusion of Ireland from the EU, Ireland’s voters will be likely to react very badly not only by refusing to leave the Union but also by rejecting Lisbon again – leaving them, and everyone else, stuck with the present discredited Treaty of Nice. The Nice option is preferred by the British Conservative party. At its annual conference last month, David Cameron, the leader, and William Hague, shadow foreign secretary, made their position crystal clear. They expect to get back into government in spring 2010. If Lisbon is not in place by then – in other words, if Ireland has failed to change its mind – the Tories will hold a referendum in the UK which will, without much doubt, bury the treaty for ever. If Lisbon is in force by then, the Tories will insist on a renegotiation of the UK’s terms of EU membership, pitched at multiple opt-out semi-detachment. There is a most unfortunate precedent for a British renegotiation. In 1976, the then Labour government sought to overthrow the original terms of membership which had been negotiated by a Conservative government and confirmed, just one year beforehand, by a referendum. Labour’s renegotiation was ill-conceived and badly handled by foreign secretary David Owen. Nationalistic sentiment was fired up by the tabloid press at home, and many enemies were made abroad. Then, in 1979, came Mrs Thatcher - and the rest (more or less) is history. Back to the future, and what in 2010 would be acceptable to a europhobic Britain could also be irresistible for a nationalistic Ireland. The puzzle for Mr Cowen and his party, therefore, is how to avoid being forced into a post-colonial, mid-Atlanticist pact with the British Tories. We have not got long before we find out what his answer is.   addthis_pub = 'mplusw';

Tue 7th Oct 2008:

MEPs back €10 billion fund for CCS.

A €10 billion EU fund to support the development of a major technology to slow global warming was proposed by MEPs in Brussels today. Scientists claim that carbon capture and storage (CCS) could halve total CO2 emissions from power stations and major industrial installations by 2050. The technology requires the separation of CO2 from the fossil fuel for permanent underground storage in depleted oil and gas fields or deep saline aquifers. EU Heads of Government promised in March last year to ensure construction of up to 12 commercial demonstration projects by 2015 but none have yet been identified. Power plant manufacturers believe that CCS will be commercially viable within 15-20 years but say that a funding mechanism to promote the technology is essential during the development stage when it could double the cost of conventional power stations. The European Parliament's Environment Committee today backed a cross-party plan to use up to 500 million allowances from the emissions trading scheme to meet the additional costs of CCS installation. The value of the support mechanism will depend on the price of CO2 when the gas is eventually buried underground but could easily exceed €10 billion. MEPs will now commence direct negotiations with the EU's French Presidency with a view to securing a deal between the Parliament and the Council of Ministers before the end of the year. ALDE environment spokesperson Chris Davies (Liberal Democrat, UK) who tabled the proposals together with MEPs Avril Doyle (PPE) and Linda McAvan (PSE) said that the parliament had laid down a challenge: "EU governments must now either back this proposal to kickstart CCS development or produce a realistic alternative. At present the ideas from the Parliament are the only show in town. "CCS development has the potential to make an enormous contribution to the fight against climate change. We can afford no delay and no more construction of conventional coal-fired power stations It is time now for Ministers to back their fine words of last year with some practical action." MEPS meeting in the Environment Committee may this afternoon take a major step when they vote on framework legislation for the safe storage of CO2. It is expected that they will back proposals to prevent the construction from 2015 of any new coal-fired power station unless equipped with CCS technology.   addthis_pub = 'mplusw';

Mon 6th Oct 2008:

Lord Thomson of Monifieth.

Reacting to the untimely death of Lord Thomson of Monifieth, Andrew Duff MEP, Leader of the Liberal Democrat European Parliamentary Party, said: "Liberal Democrats in the European Parliament are much saddened by the death of Lord Thomson of Monifieth. George was the perfect European Commissioner: loyal, courteous and successful. The EU's regional development policy was created under his leadership, and there was a powerful synergy in his equal commitment to Scottish devolution and to European integration. He was a key ally of Roy Jenkins in abandoning the Labour party to its anti-European mood, and in creating the SDP. He remained a loyal Liberal Democrat peer, and was hugely interested in and supportive of our work in the European Parliament.   addthis_pub = 'mplusw';

Wed 1st Oct 2008:

British Tories risk destroying Britain's membership of the European Union.

Reacting to the speech at the Conservative Party conference by shadow foreign secretary William Hague, Andrew Duff MEP, Liberal Democrat Constitutional Affairs Spokesperson, accused Mr Hague of undermining UK membership of the European Union. "Mr Hague is now openly threatening Britain's European partners with a renegotiation of the country's terms of membership if the Lisbon Treaty comes into force. "He is determined to defeat the Lisbon Treaty yet offers no positive alternative European strategy for the UK. What he does not say, in his nationalistic fulminations against Lisbon, is that Tory policy, if successful, will condemn us all to have to live with the Treaty of Nice which he himself condemned at the time of its signature in 2000 when he was Tory leader." Duff, who helped to negotiate the Treaty of Lisbon, added: "It is ridiculous to pretend that Lisbon is in any way worse then Nice. How can we rectify the present problems and weaknesses of the EU without a thorough reform of its structure and a strengthening of its democracy? "Unless the Tories can be defeated, and unless the Irish change their mind about ratifying Lisbon, we face the alarming prospect of a Tory government taking Britain to the margins of European reality. "To play with Britain's European membership at this time of global insecurity is worse than irresponsible."   addthis_pub = 'mplusw';

Mon 29th Sep 2008:

Rescue plan essential.

Sharon Bowles MEP, Liberal Democrat Economic Affairs Spokesperson, has welcomed the US and UK rescue packages. Commenting, she said: “This is a huge amount of money and if it were just bailing out irresponsible bankers one would be inclined to say no. However, it is bailing out people from the effects of the credit crunch which will benefit the UK as well as the US. Not taking any action would be worse. “The UK rescue plan for Bradford and Bingley was also necessary. With both Northern Rock and Bradford and Bingley the taxpayer is getting something for their money and I do not expect it all to be lost. Again, the consequences of no action would be far more dangerous. “It was right to sell on the deposit business of Bradford and Bingley because having a nationalised bank taking deposits with unlimited guarantees is not fair competition, nor fair for depositors elsewhere. “The Government should move quickly to increase the general level of deposit guarantees. Those saving for retirement or for deposits for homes could easily have more than the present £35,000 on deposit with a single institution. It is ludicrous that they should have to spread it around or not be able to invest in small banks for fear they would be allowed to go bust because they do not pose a systemic risk. “We can all see now that there is even more consolidation into large and cross border banks. In time this will present us with problems of maintaining the possibility for new entrants to the market, and ensuring a grip on EU wide systemic risk and equal treatment for cross border investors.”  

Thu 25th Sep 2008:

MEPs defeat car lobby.

 "A good day for democracy", that's how ALDE´s environment spokesperson Chris Davies describes today's vote in the Environment Committee on CO2 emission standards for new passenger cars. "A good day for democracy", that's how ALDE´s environment spokesperson Chris Davies describes today's vote in the Environment Committee on CO2 emission standards for new passenger cars. Despite an enormous lobby from the car industry to relax calls for major reductions in CO2 emissions from new cars, and a deal negotiated at the highest level between the Socialist group (PSE) and the Christian Democrats (EPP), ordinary members of the Environment Committee voted to strengthen the original Commission proposal. Chris Davies (Lib Dem, UK) explains: "The lobby from the car industry lost. MEPs today stood up for tougher measures to combat global warming and sent a strong message to corporate lobbyists to back off.  "The package is weaker than the Parliament proposed last year but very much better than might have been expected given the amount of arm twisting and political threats that has taken place.  The deal struck between the EPP and PSE Groups to weaken Commission proposals was defeated. There will be no loopholes and no reduction of the fines. Today's vote is a victory for people who believe we have to fight climate change." "We now go into negotiations with the Council of Ministers with the aim of putting the legislation on the stature book before the end of the year." Car manufacturers will have to limit the emissions to 130 CO2/km by 2012. MEPs also agreed to set a long term target of reducing vehicle emissions to 95g CO2/km by 2020. The report is part of the Community's integrated approach to reduce CO2 emissions from light cars and commercial vehicles. Some 13% of all Europe's carbon emissions stem from passenger cars.  Absolute volumes of CO2 continue to rise because of the growing number of cars on the roads and a shift towards the sale of larger and more powerful vehicles, including 4WDs. The call for regulation follows the failure of European car manufacturers to meet the reductions promised in a voluntary agreement made ten years ago.  Average emissions from new cars are thought at present still to be close to 160g C02/km. addthis_pub = 'mplusw';

Cross border health directive must put patients first.

Public health campaigner Liz Lynne MEP (ALDE, UK) has today welcomed the proposed cross border health directive, but warned the directive must benefit all Europe's citizens. Public health campaigner Liz Lynne MEP (ALDE, UK) has today welcomed the proposed cross border health directive, but warned the directive must benefit all Europe's citizens. Her comments come as the European Parliament debated cross border healthcare proposals that would give all EU citizens a framework of rights to seek medical treatment in other EU Member States. The proposal follows a 2006 European Court of Justice ruling that the NHS could not refuse to refund costs of overseas treatment if patients waited longer than clinicians advised, even if waiting list targets were met. The proposals will allow any patient facing a delay who has the funds to pay for an operation upfront to seek treatment abroad and later reclaim the costs from the NHS. Liz Lynne, West Midlands Liberal Democrat MEP and Co-Chair of campaign group MEPs against Cancer commented today: "Why should a patient have to lose their sight waiting for a cataract operation in the UK, for instance, when it could be done in another Member State? If a clinician advises treatment and this cannot be provided at home, then we need a legal framework to ensure that they can seek it elsewhere.  "All too often it is the poorest people that face discrimination and inequality in access to healthcare. And that is why we must ensure that Member States can authorise treatment in another country prior to that treatment.We must not restrict cross border health to those who can afford it. Equally, this new directive must not compromise standards of care for those people who choose to stay in their home country.   "We must also ensure there are safeguards in place that put the rights and safety of the patient first. That is why it is vital that a mechanism is developed to share patient's records between the patient's home country and the country where they receive treatment. Apart from that, we need to develop a system of compensation for patients who suffer avoidable harm when being treated in another EU country. "With regards to sharing of best practice, all too often, whether we look at Healthcare Acquired Infections or Cancer screening guidelines, the answer is on our doorstep. It is about time that we started learning from each other more effectively and this directive has the potential to help us achieve that." addthis_pub = 'mplusw';

Tue 23rd Sep 2008:

Roaming text charges: Operators still to learn lessons.

Commenting on today's expected announcement from the European Commission that the price of roaming text and data charges will be dramatically reduced, Fiona Hall MEP, Liberal Democrat Industry Spokesperson, said: "The arrogance of the mobile phone operators is galling. As in 2006 when they were warned about the cost of roaming voice calls and failed to bring the charges down, they have once again been forced to slash the cost of using a mobile abroad, this time with text and data charges. "For UK consumers, the cost of sending a text message when abroad often is as high as 41p per text. Compared with just 4p with a Latvian mobile phone user, this is scandalous. Today's announcement means that UK operators will not be able to charge no more than 9p for a text message sent whilst aboard. When one factors in that the actual cost to the operator is less than 1p it is hard to feel any sympathy with the industry. Once again, action at EU level has greatly benefited the consumer"  

MEP disappointed by European Court ruling on mandatory retirement age.

The MEP who first helped to ensure that age discrimination in the workplace was outlawed across the EU has said that she is extremely disappointed by the initial opinion of the European Court of Justice, which supported the retention of UK 's Mandatory Retirement Age. The Advocate General of the Court, who is charged with offering preliminary opinions on cases, said that the EU directives preventing age discrimination do not prevent Member States allowing employers to dismiss staff once they reach retirement age. Following the decision today, Liz Lynne MEP, Liberal Democrat Employment Spokesperson in the European Parliament and shadow rapporteur for the Employment Directive 2000 that forced the Government to introduce anti age discrimination legislation in the UK, said: “This decision is certainly a setback on the road to ending age discrimination. However, it is important to remember that this is only the opinion of the Advocate General, and is not binding on the Judges who will make the final ruling. “The Advocate General himself said in his opinion that in a perfect world everyone would be judged individually and according to their merits. Unfortunately he shied away from moving towards this goal. I hope that the European Court itself will not make the same mistake. “I sincerely hope that the formal ruling of the Court will put an end to the sudden cliff edge of retirement that forces people to stop working at a certain age whether they want to or not. "It is also vital that this formal decision comes soon; there are now over 260 employment tribunal cases in England and Wales awaiting a final ruling, while thousands of people continue to lose their jobs unfairly every year. This cannot be allowed to continue.”   addthis_pub = 'mplusw';

MEPs unite to fight child trafficking.

The European Parliament is calling on Member States and the EU institutions to toughen their fight against child trafficking. A cross-party Written Declaration has achieved an absolute majority of signatures (currently 409 out of 785). The document will now be formally forwarded to the Council and Commission for further action. It calls for the fight against child trafficking to be made a priority in national child protection policies, for greater exchange of information and cooperation between Member States, EU institutions, and NGO. The Written Declaration's sponsor for the Liberal group, Diana Wallis MEP, said "I am delighted that we are sending such a strong message to Commission and Council on this pressing issue. It is outrageous that certain Member States are still dragging their feet on the related question of the cross-border missing child alert, or "Amber Alert" system. Together with the French Presidency, we in the European Parliament hope to reach an agreement despite such national resistances to this common sense, practical improvement."  

Hedge Funds: Transparency, not over-regulation, is way forward.

The European Parliament is set to approve a report on hedge funds later today that, despite efforts from Socialist and Labour MEPs, will not introduce top-down regulation. Sharon Bowles MEP (UK, Lib Dem), ALDE Shadow rapporteur, was instrumental in ensuring that the report urges more transparency and information in capital requirements, rather than singling out hedge funds and private equity specifically. Commenting, Sharon said: "It is important that the Parliament does not adopt a reactionary, knee jerk response to recent events. To target hedge funds and private equity specifically for regulation is not the right approach. Regulation must be non-discriminatory and must be part of a broader overall package of monitoring risk. A smart, forward looking approach is needed if we are to prevent not only the recent crisis but also any other potential mishaps. Voluntary codes have only very recently been adopted by hedge funds and must be given more time before we make any determinative judgements. "The first draft of Mr Rasmussen's report was not acceptable to the majority of the parliament with its old school top down regulatory approach that would stifle any growth in the sector. Thankfully, many Liberal Democrat amendments that have softened the approach have been accepted and we can now look forward to the vast majority of the report to be included in the Commission's upcoming legislation on capital requirements and credit ratings agencies, expected next month.   addthis_pub = 'mplusw';

MEPs boost online privacy rights and child safety.

The European Parliament is set to toughen up consumer rights and privacy protection for phone and internet customers as well as to make children safer. In amendments to current EU telecoms regulations, new provisions will toughen online security requirements and require phone companies and internet service providers (ISPs) to warn users of security breaches resulting in possible malicious use of their personal data. Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP, Liberal Democrat European Justice Spokeswoman and a consistent campaigner for tougher measures on data protection, said: “It's high time that phone and internet users were informed when their personal details are hacked into. Coupled with a related new obligation to inform customers of security safeguards, this will give firms an incentive to keep breaches to a minimum by beefing up their own investment in security. "MEPs are also right to boost child safety by making compulsory the provision by EU states of a 116000 missing child telephone hotline number, since most of them have disgracefully failed to honour a voluntary agreement reached 18 months ago. This would then be part of a Europe-wide missing child amber alert system for which Liberal Democrats are on the way to securing EU funding. " Other improvements contained in the new directive cover more transparent information on prices and contract terms; better services for disabled users; and 'public service' warnings about online hazards like risks of copyright infringement and counterfeit medicines.   addthis_pub = 'mplusw';

EU rules on use of personal data for policing lack safeguards.

In its response to a proposed new EU law on privacy protection in use of personal data for policing and law enforcement, the European Parliament is demanding much stricter safeguards than EU states are willing to give. Commenting, Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP, Liberal Democrat Justice and Human Rights Spokesperson, said: “In emptying the original proposal of much of its protective content and settling on a lowest common denominator agreement, EU government ministers are stupidly undermining the effort to create public confidence in EU cross-border police cooperation." Loopholes include applicability only to exchanges of data between Member states and not to processing of data within them as originally envisaged, lax rules on transfers to foreign countries, possibility to access sensitive details like race, political opinions or religious affiliation and too-wide scope to justify use of data for new purposes. Sarah Ludford added: "We have seen the outrage in the UK of local councils having access to personal details, ostensibly kept for purposes of tackling terrorism and serious crime, to check up on eligibility for school places. If this does not stop, European citizens will not trust measures like the European Arrest Warrant that we do in fact need in order to catch real criminals. "It is illegitimate to go on making laws like this without MEPs having the full right to co-decision. This is the price of the non-ratification of the Lisbon Treaty which will at last make EU policing laws transparent and democratic."   addthis_pub = 'mplusw';

Tue 16th Sep 2008:

Lib Dem Europe paper : a necessary refurbishment of pro European Values.

Commenting on the adoption of a new policy paper on Europe at the Liberal Democrat Conference in Bournemouth this afternoon, Andrew Duff MEP, Leader of the Liberal Democrat European Parliamentary Party, said: "Whilst scurrilous press reports have attempted to distort basic Liberal Democrat values on the European project, today's overwhelming backing of the motion proves otherwise. We move forward to next year's European election campaign with renewed vigour and a reaffirmation of our position as Britain's European party. The true British interest lies in building a strong Europe." Graham Watson MEP, Leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, added: "It is high time we campaigned in European elections on European issues that are of fundamental importance to British citizens. Climate change and combating cross border crime are areas where Liberal Democrats have led the way in the European Parliament and we should not be afraid to tell the British public that we are proud of our achievements in Europe."   addthis_pub = 'mplusw';

MEPs reject fingerprinting of 6 year olds.

The European Parliament's Justice and Civil Liberties Committee has backed a European Liberal Democrat amendment to set the minimum age of fingerprinting for EU passports at 12 years old rather than the European Commission's proposal of 6 years old. The author of the amendment, Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP, Liberal Democrat European Justice Spokeswoman, commented: "This is a sensible and precautionary position. Even aside from civil liberties objections of principle, there are many practical obstacles to the feasibility of using fingerprints of children from such an early age. That is why I argued for fixing on 12 initially while studies are done, and I am gratified that the committee has followed my advice and aligned with the European Parliament plenary position on EU visa fingerprinting. "Fingerprints of young children change as they grow, and despite assertions about a 'juvenile growing process' to predict changes, there is a complete lack of empirical evidence about whether this really can ensure reliability of those fingerprints several years after capture. With the normal rule of five-year validity of passports and of stored visa data, this becomes more than an academic question. "A failure to have all the mechanisms and safeguards in place would just mean turning the EU passports and visa schemes into vast biometric experiments, with severe implications for data accuracy, privacy protection and individual rights." Notes to Editors: 1. Sarah Ludford is currently in negotiation with the Council of ministers about handling of visa applications and collection of biometrics to make the Visa Information System agreed last year operational. In July the European Parliament backed her recommendation for an age of 12, with a 3-year study to examine the issue of fingerprinting children. The committee vote on passports is in line with that position. 2. The UK is not legally allowed to join either the EU passports or visa schemes as we choose not to be part of the Schengen zone, but the UK government tends to shadow EU developments and even lets it be thought that they are under an EU obligation. In fact UK decisions on fingerprinting for passports and visas are autonomous. Children from the age of 5 have been fingerprinted for several years for UK visas, but fingerprints are collected on every application, not stored. While this avoids the 'growth' problem, it must entail extra cost and inconvenience for all parties.  

Wed 10th Sep 2008:

Stronger action urged against undeclared work and employers recruiting illegal immigrants.

Today in Brussels the European Parliament's Committee on Employment and Social Affairs adopted two closely related reports on the fight against undeclared work and on sanctions against employers for employing illegally staying third-country nationals. It is estimated that undeclared work exceeds 20 % of GDP in some Member States in the EU and poses a serious threat to the distortion of competition and destabilization of labour markets whilst illegal immigration itself contributes also to undeclared work. Several MEPs consider that sanctions against EU employers benefiting from undeclared work may be necessary to tackle the problem. ALDE shadow rapporteur on undeclared work, Liz LYNNE (LibDem, United Kingdom) said: "Undeclared work only benefits unscrupulous employers. Europe's labour market needs more flexibility but not anarchy." "By ignoring the phenomenon of undeclared work we encourage a race to the bottom in standards in the European workplace, put employees health and safety at risk and harm the wider economy through tax evasion and undermining social security. The EU should be pushing Member States to raise their standards and not just turn a blind eye." In parallel, the committee examined the case for sanctions against employers of illegal immigrants ALDE shadow rapporteur Ona JUKNEVICIENE (Lithuania) said: "I believe that the proposed directive could serve as an effective deterrent for employers using illegally staying third-country nationals, because it provides for very strict sanctions, such as cutting off subsidies and EU funding both at national and European level, or the withdrawal of business licences and even criminal sanctions in serious cases." "I am convinced that both legal and natural persons must also bear some responsibility in the exploitation of illegal third-country nationals whether at the workplace or in the home", notes Jukneviciene. Estimates on the number of third-country nationals in the EU vary between 4,5 to 8 million whilst illegal employment is mainly concentrated in certain sectors: construction, agriculture, cleaning, and hotel/catering.   addthis_pub = 'mplusw';

9/11 reminder of need to return to core values of liberal democracy.

On the eve of the 7th anniversary of the terrible terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, Liberal Democrat European justice and human rights spokeswoman Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP is calling for the future US President and Congress to resume co-leadership of international efforts to protect freedoms and civil liberties with an EU which needs to practice what it preaches on fundamental rights. “Massive terrorist attacks ended the comfortable belief that liberal democracy was safe from attack after the collapse of the Soviet Union. However the 'war on terror' has been invoked to chip away painfully acquired fundamental freedoms such as habeas corpus, freedom of expression, privacy and non-discrimination. This has squandered the west's most precious legal, ethical and moral assets." "Mass surveillance, secret prisons, rendition flights, torture and profiling based on religion and ethnicity are only the most notorious examples of this trend. Many campaigners have challenged these policies and stood up for a more balanced approach to tackling terrorism.” "Early US leaders such as Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin wisely warned that if liberty was traded for security, both would be lost. A new American leadership from November should not only regain respect for this truth, but remind European governments of it too." "The EU is at a turning-point. As it decides the direction of a new 5-year programme in justice and security with new surveillance measures proliferating, EU leaders need to remember that security cannot exist without liberty."   addthis_pub = 'mplusw';

Tue 9th Sep 2008:

European Parliament signals the end of reckless driving abroad.

Today, the Transport Committee of the European Parliament backed, with an overwhelming majority the cross-border enforcement of penalties for speeding, drink-driving, not wearing a seatbelt and running a red light. At present, sanctions for traffic violations in Member States other than the driver's country of residence are mostly not followed through. This relative impunity encourages irresponsible driving and undermines road safety. Commenting, Graham Watson MEP, European Liberal and Democrat Leader, said: "Today's vote is the first step towards ensuring that speeding, drink-driving, not wearing a seatbelt and running a red light elsewhere in the EU will follow you home. Having one for the road while holidaying abroad will be pricey and deservedly so. Those four offences are to blame for most fatalities on the European roads and it is time the joyride ends." Under the proposed legislation European countries will identify and notify offenders by swapping electronic data. The authorities in the country of residence will be empowered to follow up on the penalty decisions in case of non-compliance by the offenders. "European Liberal Democrats supported the legislation and we are ready to see it through the full House next month. Member States are still dragging their feet but today's vote sends a clear signal that we will no longer be taken for a ride by drivers exploiting the loopholes in the system", added Watson.

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  

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 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.&nbs