At Question Time ministers answered the questions of the members of the Riigikogu.

Prime Minister Juhan Parts answered the question of Tõnis Lukas about the administrative reform, the question of Andres Tarand about energy, the question of Ain Seppik about the Government?s work schedule, the question of Katrin Saks about the Government?s policy, the question of Mai Treial about raising the subsistence level, the question of Toomas Alatalu about county governors and the question of Eiki Nestor about special pensions.

Minister of Education and Research Toivo Maimets answered the question of Mark Soosaar about education units and the question of Andres Herkel about teachers? salaries.

The Riigikogu passed the following Acts:

With 78 votes in favour (5 votes against) the Citizenship Act Amendment Act (68 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Evelyn Sepp, Ain Seppik, Mihhail Stalnuhhin and Vladimir Velman, was passed. The Act provides for a shortened period of time for the review of documents submitted for the acquisition and resumption of Estonian citizenship, as a result of which the process of acquisition and resumption of citizenship will become faster.

With 61 votes in favour (29 votes against) the European Parliament Election Act (138 SE), initiated by the Isamaaliit Faction, was passed. The Act provides for the transfer to open party lists. In the list of a party, having received at least one mandate, the candidates will be re-ranked according to the number of received votes. The candidates with the best election results turn out to be elected.

With 58 votes in favour the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure Act Amendment Act (177 SE), initiated by the European Affairs Committee and Foreign Affairs Committee, was passed. The Act creates legal basis for the participation in the European Union? s decision-making process. The Act establishes the competence of the Riigikogu in the affairs of the European Union, the division of competences between the governing and working bodies of the Riigikogu in proceeding thereof and the procedure for the legislative proceeding of the affairs of the European Union. The European Union Affairs Committee was included in the list of standing committees of the Riigikogu.

With 62 votes in favour (1 vote against) the Consumer Protection Act (14 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic, was passed. The Act regulates the supply and sale of goods or services to a consumer or marketing in any other way by a trader, establishes the rights of a consumer as a buyer and user of goods or services, stipulates the organisation and supervision of consumer protection and liability for the violation of laws.

With 62 votes in favour (1 vote against) the Trade and Commercial Activities Act (164 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic, was passed. The Act stipulates the bases and procedure for commercial activities, the organisation for exercising supervision, and liability for the violation of laws.

With 62 votes in favour the Economic Activities Register Act (165 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic, was passed. The Act stipulates the composition of data of the register of economic activities, the general principles of keeping and exercising of supervision of the register of economic activities.

The Riigikogu passed the following Resolution:

With 57 votes in favour the Resolution of the Riigikogu On Amendments to the Resolution of the Riigikogu On the Formation of the European Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (218 OE), presented by the Estonian Reform Party Faction, was passed. Silver Meikar instead of Maret Maripuu was appointed as a member of the Committee.

The Riigikogu concluded the first reading of the following Bills:

The Bill on Amendments to the Health Insurance Act and the Defence Forces Service Act (230 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The term for submission of motions to amend to the National Defence Committee is 26 February, 18.00.

The Draft Code of Civil Procedure (208 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The term for submission of motions to amend to the Legal Affairs Committee is 12 March, 16.45.

The Bill on Amendments to the Packaging Excise Duty Act and the State Fees Act (223 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The term for submission of motions to amend to the Finance Committee is 26 February, 18.00.

The Bill on Amendments to the Heritage Conservation Act (231 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The term for submission of motions to amend to the Cultural Affairs Committee is 26 February, 18.00.

The Bill on the Ratification of the European Convention on Social and Medical Assistance and Protocol Thereto (232 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The term for submission of motions to amend to the Social Affairs Committee is 18 February, 12.00.

The Riigikogu Press Service