Prime Minister Andrus Ansip replied to the interpellation concerning the fire in the “Estonia” oil shale mine (No 98), submitted by Members of the Riigikogu Lembit Kaljuvee, Tiit Kuusmik and Valeri Korb on 20 October. In connection with the fire in the “Estonia” oil shale mine in October, the interpellators accuse both the management of Eesti Energia Ltd. and the management of Eesti Põlevkivi Ltd. in errors in management and ask which steps the Government is going to take to improve the situation. 

The Prime Minister explained that the Government saw no reason to interfere with the management of Eesti Põlevkivi Ltd. In Ansip’s words, the Government has not discussed separation of Eesti Põlevkivi Ltd. from Eesti Energia Ltd because both Eesti Energia Ltd as a whole and Eesti Põlevkivi Ltd. are in the same values chain and their co-existence is in every way reasonable and rational. The Prime minister expressed a conviction that the mountain rescue group had operated at professional level and there can be no serious reproaches to the mountain rescue group. “It must be admitted, however, that a mistake was made in believing that the fire had been completely liquidated and in opening the area again. This decision proved mistaken and therefore the source was isolated and flooded with water once more,” admitted Ansip. 

The Minister of Regional Affairs Siim Valmar Kiisler replied to the interpellation concerning regress of the regional administration reform (No 99), submitted by Members of the Riigikogu Kalle Laanet, Toivo Tootsen, Kadri Simson, Lembit Kaljuvee, Aivar Riisalu, Lauri Laasi, Aadu Must, Arvo Sarapuu, Inara Luigas, Helle Kalda, Tiit Kuusmik and Ain Seppik on 23 October. The Minister gave explanations of the future of regional administration. 

During the open microphone, Jaan Kundla took the floor.

The Riigikogu Press Service