EU News

Brussels gets tough on dodgy online deals NEW draft rules being adopted by the European Parliament aim to increase online surveillance of e-shopping and ensure that goods bought over the Internet are safe and legally compliant. The proposals would significantly strengthen consumer rights as regards information, delivery and withdrawal from contracts. It would also help market-surveillance authorities take action against dangerous products sold online, such as pharmaceutical or food products, that could pose direct health and safety risks for consumers. The new law, if agreed by the EU institutions, creates a 14-day, EU-wide withdrawal period during which consumers will be able to change their minds about a product, send it back and claim a full refund. If the price is more than €40, the trader must pay for return postage. Speaking in Strasbourg during a debate on the issue, Northwest MEP Jim Higgins said inbuilt clauses requiring more information on the identity and contact details of the trader will bring more transparency and security for online shoppers. 'These new rules should benefit Ireland's online merchants, who will have the whole EU market opened up to them, while consumers all over Europe will have the confidence to shop with Irish providers,' said the Fine Gael MEP. MEPs vote for fewer Strasbourg sessions IN a move that could pave the beginning of the end of the European Parliament's controversial 'dual seat' in Brussels and Strasbourg, MEPs have voted to merge some plenary sessions, in a bid to reduce carbon emissions and travel costs. In October 2012 and 2013, two plenary sessions will be combined into a single week in order to spare the parliament one trip to the French city. It's estimated the decision could save €15 million from the EU budget and reduce Co2 emissions by 1,600 tonnes a year, while maintaining the obligation under EU treaties to hold 12 plenary sessions a year in Strasbourg. However, the secret ballot, which was approved by 357 votes in favour and 253 against, has provoked wide-ranging reactions from MEPs themselves. French and German MEPs who have long defended the Strasbourg seat as a symbol of European reconciliation are considering legal action at the European Court of Justice. They have also dismissed as 'fantasy' claims that travelling to Strasbourg costs €150 million a year, insisting that the real figure is between €50 and €70 million. On the other hand, some opponents say the decision does not go far enough, and that the entire 'travelling circus' should be abolished altogether. Northwest MEP Marian Harkin, who voted in favour of merging sessions, said the result clearly indicates that the majority of MEPs want change. 'While I understand the views of the French and German MEPs who want to retain Strasbourg â€â€ if it were Dublin, I would wish to retain it â€â€ we need to find other solutions that deliver a more efficient and cost- effective outcome for all,' said the Independent MEP. Atlantic countries club together to promote marine tourism A NEW Atlantic Area Strategy being drawn up by the European Commission could help promote water sports and marine activities along the west coast as part of a joint project between five EU countries sharing access to the Atlantic. The draft initiative will improve economic co-operation between Ireland, the UK, Spain, France and Portugal through the joint marketing of Atlantic coastlines. Irish MEP, Sean Kelly, who is involved in drawing up the strategy, said Ireland stood to benefit hugely from an international pooling of resources and expertise in the marine leisure sector. 'Ireland has vast opportunities for development of its on-shore and off-shore tourism, and tourism bodies in all the Atlantic countries need to co-ordinate an action plan for drawing down funding to promote events such as surfing competitions and marine festivals,' said the Fine Gael MEP. 'Ireland's Atlantic coast boasts a huge array of attractions. We have deep-sea and river angling, surfing, whale watching, the list is endless, and so are the possibilities,' he added. The Commission's strategy, which includes a public consultation, follows a new political framework recently agreed by MEPs for tourism in Europe entitled 'Europe, the world's No.1 tourist destination.' It calls for a major campaign to promote year-round tourism and business tourism as a step towards economic recovery. Ireland has two years to adopt anti-trafficking law THE Irish government has been given a deadline of Spring 2013 to enact tough new legislation, completed in Europe this week, which is aimed at combating human trafficking. The EU directive sets minimum penalties for traffickers in all member states of between five and ten years' imprisonment where a victim's life is endangered, where criminal organisations are involved or where children are exploited. The directive also asks member states to consider establishing as a criminal offence 'the use of services of a victim with the knowledge that he or she has been trafficked.' Welcoming the legislation, Irish MEP Proinsias de Rossa said he has written to the new Justice Minister, Alan Shatter, urging him to make the necessary changes to Irish law well before the 2013 deadline. He pointed out that Ireland's Criminal Law Act 2008 will require extensive revisions to put many of our existing rules on a more statutory basis and to establish a national coordinator to report on trafficking in this country. 'Irish law will also have to facilitate the expanded definition of 'trafficking' within this EU directive, to include not only prostitution and sexual exploitation but forced labour, illegal adoption, forced marriages or organ removal,' said the Labour MEP. More than 1.2 million people are trafficked globally each year, with 40 per cent of these victims exploited for prostitution and a further 30 per cent for menial labour.