Levels Reference Study Board (Phase II)

Colleagues, we're continuing with our study of a reference from the House dealing with confidentiality of the work of the legislative counsel.

Mr. Chair, not only did Mr. Walsh voluntarily divulge confidential information, but what is more serious yet, while this committee was right in the middle of examining a reference from the House concerning the whole matter of the confidentiality of the work done by the legislative counsel for the parliamentarians, the boss of the legislative counsel—and this should be repeated so that the total seriousness of what was done is fully understood—right in the middle of the study of a referral from the House on the matter of confidentiality, put out these figures and disregarded this referral by revealing information that had remained confide ...[+++]ntial until that time concerning the number of amendments drafted for bills that had not yet been examined in committee.

137.Highlights current trends in global energy prices, which are linked to unconventional oil and gas resources in the USA as well as developments in the Middle East, and notes that high energy prices are an important factor affecting the competitiveness of European industries; stresses the need to provide analyses of the factors influencing the price of energy; calls on the Commission to take this into account as done in its impact assessments when making future proposals; emphasises that RISE requires coherence between industrial, energy and climate policies; notes that lower energy prices in the USA have permitted additional indus ...[+++]trial investments; refers to Parliament’s resolutions on such investments; highlights the hugely important role of the energy-intensive industries, which produce essential basic materials; stresses that these industries are subject to the risk of carbon leakage and that special precautions are therefore needed to keep it competitive; asks the Commission to come forward with recommendations to prevent the risk of carbon leakage;

57. Recognises the need to promote green infrastructure, eco-innovation and the adoption of innovative technologies in order to create a greener economy, and calls on the Commission to draw up good practice guides in this area; urges the Commission, the Member States and local and regional authorities to take account of the recommendations made in the TEEB study, which is intended as a useful advisory tool for local and regional policy-makers, administrators and managers; underlines the need to expand and intensify training for beneficiaries of the Structural and Cohesion Funds, and for local, regional and national governments, in dealing with the complex European and national legislation aimed at protecting ...[+++]nature and increasing awareness of the importance of biodiversity loss; invites the Commission to put in place technical assistance mechanisms designed to promote knowledge at regional and local level with regard to implementation-related problems;