The European Council of Civil Engineers’ Brussels Brief is greatly indebted to the U.K. European Parliament for this account of the activity of the 2004 European Parliament.  

Among the key debates in the first year of the 2004-2009 European Parliament were:-

* Appointment of José Manuel Barroso as European Commission President, July 2004

* Approval of the 25-member College of European Commissioners, October-November 2004

* Debate and vote on the proposed EU Constitutional Treaty - January 2005

* Outline of the U.K. Presidency - Prime Minister Tony Blair debate with MEPs - June 2005

* Statements to Parliament from President Viktor Yushchenko of Ukraine (February 2005) and President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan (May 2005)

The main legislative votes between September 2004 and July 2005 were:-

* Working Time Directive (1st reading - May 2005)

* Recognition of Qualifications (2nd reading - May 2005)

* Bathing Water Directive (2nd reading - May 2005)

* Computer Patents Directive (rejection by MEPs at 2nd reading - July 2005)

* Healthy food labelling (1st reading - May 2005)

 Other legislation included:-

* Re-insurance Directive

* Money laundering Directive

* Sulphur levels in Marine Fuel directive

* Unfair Commercial Practices Directive

* Driving Licences Directive

* Marine Pollution - criminal sanctions directive

* Pesticides Regulation

Finally, a solution has finally been found to the issue of MEPs' pay and expenses.

- KEY DEBATES 2004-2005

Barroso: One of the European Parliament's first tasks on reconvening after the June 2004 European elections was to vote on whether to approve José Manuel Barroso as President of the European Commission. Mr Barroso was approved by 413 votes to 251.

New European Commission September and October 2004 saw European Parliament committee hearings of the proposed team of 25 Commissioners. At the October 2004 Parliament session, Mr Barroso withdrew his team in the light of concerns expressed by MEPs on the suitability of a number of the proposed Commissioners. A revised list was approved by the European Parliament at its session of 18 November 2004, following the designation of a new name from Italy and the reshuffling of several other portfolios. MEPs voted by 449 to 149 (with 82 abstentions) to approve the new Commission line-up.

EU Constitutional Treaty The European Parliament adopted a resolution on the proposed EU Constitutional Treaty on 12 January 2005. The resolution, which 'wholeheartedly' supported ratification of the Treaty, was adopted by 500 votes to 137, with 40 abstentions.

'No' votes in the French and Dutch referendums in June 2005 led the government leaders in the European Council to call for a 'period of reflection' before making any final decision on the proposed Treaty.

The debate was led by the European Parliament's co-rapporteur Richard Corbett MEP.

- LEGISLATION - HIGHLIGHTS

 Working Time Directive In May 2005, the European Parliament had its 1st reading of the proposal to amend the existing Working Time Directive. Main issues here were the opt-out possibilities from the basic 48-hour week; and the definition of “on-call time”.

In the overall vote on Parliament's 1st reading amendments, 345 MEPs were in favour, 264 against, and 43 abstained. On the specific issue of ending the opt-out, 378 MEPs voted to end the opt-out 3 years after the directive's final adoption, 262 against ending the opt-out and 15 abstained.

The Council of Ministers is yet to reach its Common Position and there are no time limits for it to do so. When the proposed directive returns to the European Parliament for its 2nd reading, 367 MEPs must vote for any amendments to the text of the Council.

Recognition of Qualifications May 2005 also saw Parliament's 2nd reading of the proposed reform to the system of mutual recognition of qualifications. The directive sets down the rules for recognition of regulated and liberal professions across the EU, so that it is clear under what conditions architects, engineers, physiotherapists etc can work in another EU Member State.

The amendments adopted by MEPs at 2nd reading were all subsequently approved by the Council of Ministers.

Bathing Water Directive In May, the European Parliament held its 2nd reading of the proposed new directive to set out minimum quality levels for our bathing waters and lay down what information should be made available to the public.

The amendments adopted by MEPs set down the new levels of effluent to be permitted in bathing waters and defined what constitutes bathing water both at sea and inland. MEPs also set down what information they considered should be available to the public on the current state of the waters (rather than the Blue Flag scheme which relates to the previous year's readings).

The Council of Ministers has not accepted all of the amendments adopted at 2nd reading, so this autumn will see formal conciliation proceedings between Parliament and Council.