March 17
At Question Time ministers answered the questions of the members of the Riigikogu.
Prime Minister Juhan Parts answered the question of Helir-Valdor Seeder about the price of electricity, the question of Andres Tarand about the execution of the budget, the question of Andres Herkel about the privatisation policy of the coalition, the question of Katrin Saks about the wage policy, the question of Eiki Nestor about the outflow of the work force from Estonia and the question of Kadi Pärnits about the use of migrant labour force.
Minister of Finance Taavi Veskimägi answered the question of Toivo Tootsen about the loss caused by the crop failure, the question of Mihhail Stalnuhhin about the filing of the income tax returns and the question of Tõnis Lukas about the financing of education.
Minister of Education and Research Toivo Maimets answered the question of Vello Tafenau about the allocation of educational costs.
The Riigikogu passed the following Acts:
The Riigikogu passed with 64 votes in favour (3 abstentions) the Gaseous Fuel Safety Act Amendment Act (169 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The Act makes amendments to the regulation of appliances burning gaseous fuels and gaseous fuel installations, makes amendments to the regulation of industrial equipment and specifies the terms used in the Act. The provisions delegating authority for the implementation of liquefied gas regulation were added to the Act and the treatment of protected zones of gas installations and the organisation of technical inspection were amended. The purpose of the Act is to bring the Act into conformity with the relevant law of the European Union.
The Working Conditions of Posted Workers in Estonia Act (191 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic, was passed with 66 votes in favour. The purpose of the Act is to ensure the protection of rights of the workers sent to Estonia from foreign countries for providing services and to ensure fair competition of employers who provide services.
The Riigikogu passed with 64 votes in favour the Infectious Animal Disease Control Act Amendment Act (252 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The Act makes amendments to the valid Act in connection with Estonia? s accession to the European Union on May 1, 2004, and solves the problems encountered in the course of the harmonisation of the legislation of the European Union.
The Riigikogu concluded the second reading of the following Bills:
The Explosive Substances Bill (73 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.
The Consolidated Bill on Amendments to the State Pension Insurance Act (22 SE and 256 SE), initiated by the Estonian Centre Party Faction and the Government of the Republic.
The Bill on Amendments to the Aviation Act (170 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.
The Product Safety Bill (220 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.
The Bill on Amendments to the Heritage Conservation Act (231 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.
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 Bill on Amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure, Probation Supervision Act and Courts Act (196 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.
The State Participation in Legal Persons in Private Law Bill (236 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.
The Bill on Amendments to the Competition Act (237 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.
The Riigikogu concluded the first reading of the following Bills:
The Bill on Amendments to the Elections Acts and Referendum Act to Impose Restrictions on the Expenses of Political Advertising and Election Campaigns (234 SE), initiated by the Isamaaliit Faction. The Constitutional Committee as leading committee moved to reject the Bill. The results of voting: 33 votes in favour, 34 against. The motion was not supported. The first reading of the Bill was concluded. The term for submission of motions to amend to the Constitutional Committee is 6 April, 18.00.
The Bill on Amendments to the Advertising Act and Broadcasting Act (235 SE), initiated by the Isamaaliit Faction. The Constitutional Committee as leading committee moved to reject the Bill. The results of voting: 35 votes in favour, 35 against. The motion was not supported. The first reading of the Bill was concluded. The term for submission of motions to amend to the Constitutional Committee is 6 April, 18.00.
The Surplus Stocks Charges Bill (272 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The term for submission of motions to amend to the Finance Committee is 18 March, 18.00.
The Bill on Amendments to the Food Act and Associated Acts (284 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The term for submission of motions to amend to the Rural Affairs Committee is 24 March, 16.00.
The Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu On the Extension of the Use of the Estonian Defence Forces Units in Performance of International Duties of the Estonian State under the International Security Assistance Mission in Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Iraq (274 OE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The term for submission of motions to amend to the National Defence Committee is 31 March, 18.00.
The Bill on the Ratification of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Estonia and Headquarters, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation and Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe Regarding the Provision of Host Nation Support for the Execution of NATO Operations (276 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The term for submission of motions to amend to the National Defence Committee is 31 March, 18.00.
The Bill on the Ratification of the Agreement on the Participation of the Czech Republic, Republic of Estonia, Republic of Cyprus, Republic of Latvia, Republic of Lithuania, Republic of Hungary, Republic of Poland, Republic of Slovenia and Slovak Republic in the European Economic Area (278 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The term for submission of motions to amend to the Economic Affairs Committee is 31 March, 18.00.
The State Legal Assistance Bill (249 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The term for submission of motions to amend to the Legal Affairs Committee is 31 March, 18.00.
The Bill on Amendments to the Water Act (268 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The term for submission of motions to amend to the Environment Committee is 24 March, 18.00.
The Nature Conservation Bill (279 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The term for submission of motions to amend to the Environment Committee is 24 March, 18.00.
The Bill on Amendments to the Road Transport Act and State Fees Act (288 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The term for submission of motions to amend to the Economic Affairs Committee is 24 March, 12.00.
The Riigikogu did not pass the Act unamended:
The Government of the Republic Act Amendment Act and Other Acts Arising Therefrom, refused to be proclaimed by the President of the Republic. The results of voting: No votes in favour, 74 against. The Act will be amended. The term for submission of motions to amend to the Constitutional Committee is 18 March, 10.30.
The sitting ended at 21.15.
The Riigikogu Press Service