February 16
The Riigikogu passed two Acts:
The Riigikogu passed with 62 votes in favour (20 votes against, 3 abstentions) the Act on Amendments to § 3 of the Universities Act (505 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic, which creates legal basis for the establishment of the University of Tallinn.
The Riigikogu passed with 68 votes in favour the Act on the Ratification of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Estonia and the Government of Australia relating to Working Holiday Visas (543 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. In accordance with the Memorandum both Estonia and Australia may issue working holiday visas to each other?s citizens from 18 years to 30 years for up to 12 months. The right to apply for working holiday visas is enjoyed by the citizens of Estonia or Australia who plan, first and foremost, to spend their holidays in Australia or Estonia during a determined period of time; who have no dependent children with them; who have not earlier entered Estonia or Australia on working holiday visas; who have valid passports and return tickets or sufficient means to buy return tickets; enough resources to support themselves either in Australia or Estonia during their initial period of stay and who have good health and reliable background.
The Riigikogu concluded the second reading of three Bills:
The Liquid Fuel Stocks Bill (525 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic, the motion submitted by the Social Democratic Party Faction and the Estonian Centre Party Faction to suspend the second reading was not supported. The result of voting: 35 votes in favour, 42 against.
The Bil on Amendments to § 64 of the Government of the Republic Act (531 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic,
The Bill on Amendments to § 11 of the State Borders Act (540 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.
The Riigikogu concluded the first reading of three Bills:
The Bill on Amendments to the Riigi Teataja Act and to the State Fees Act (539 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;
The Bill on Amendments to the Family Law Act (528 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic,
The Determining Cause of Death Bill (557 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.
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At Question Time Minister of Finance Taavi Veskimägi, Minister of Social Affairs Marko Pomerants and Minister of Defence Jaak Jõerüüt answered the questions of Members of the Riigikogu. Matters concerning the financing of health care, the budget of the Health Insurance Fund, the Government?s activities regarding health care, the establishment of the Central Hospital of Prisons, the Iraqi mission and the building of schools were deliberated.
The Riigikogu Press Service