The Act on Amendments to the Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Competition Act (438 SE), initiated by the Government, which improves combating of cartels and other serious violations of competition law, was passed with 82 votes in favour.

 

The Act on Amendments to the Forensic Examination Act, the Code of Criminal Procedure, the Code of Civil Procedure and the Establishment of Cause of Death Act (606 SE), initiated by the Government, which provides the prices of forensic examination in order to ensure that the process of establishing the prices is in conformity of with the Constitution, was passed with 79 votes in favour. The same Act also establishes fixed prices for forensic psychiatric examinations and for forensic psychiatric/forensic psychological complex examinations.

 

The Act on Accession to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (566 SE), initiated by the Government, was passed with 81 votes in favour. The purpose of the Convention is to combat corruption effectively in all its forms in both public and private sectors. Much attention is also paid to the prevention of corruption, deterring of laundering of proceeds of crime, returning of assets to the countries of origin, transparent and honest management of public affairs, and cooperation of states both in law and in the development of other anti-corruption measures. Aside from obligatory provisions, the Convention includes measures of, to a large part, recommending character which allows states more possibilities to observe the purpose of the Convention.

 

 

The Bill on Amendments to the Defence Forces Organisation Act and Other Associated Acts (634 SE), initiated by the Government, provides that the educational institutions of the Defence Forces be merged into a single structural unit of the Defence Forces.

 

The Bill on Amendments to the Alcohol, Tobacco, Fuel and Electricity Excise Duty Act (585 SE), initiated by the Government, brings the Act into conformity with the new respective CEC Directive concerning the general arrangements for excise duty.

 

With the Bill on Amendments to the Water Act and Associated Acts (581 SE), initiated by the Government, the regulation of construction of structures not permanently attached to the shore (e.g. wind farms) in public bodies of water is added to the legislation which is currently in force.

 

The Bill on Amendments to the Railways Act and the State Fees Act (573 SE), initiated by the Government, updates the minimum rates of liability insurance established in the Railways Act, harmonises the procedure for the management of railways not designated as public railways, and amends the procedure for the issue of the locomotive driver’s licence.

 

The Authorised Public Accountants Bill (488 SE), initiated by the Government, updates the activities of auditors and introduces into the Act the changes which have occurred in this field.

The Riigikogu concluded the first reading of the Bill on Amendments to the Medicinal Products Act and the Health Insurance Act (643 SE), initiated by the Government. The Bill corrects the regulation of medicinal products in pursuance of the European Union law concerning medicinal products and the problems which have become apparent in practice, and improves purposeful and expedient use of state funds.

 

At Question Time, the Minister of Finance Jürgen Ligi answered the question about unemployment, submitted by Kadri Simson, the question about the plan for the transition to the euro, submitted by Inara Luigas, and the question about granting state aid to local governments which are in financial difficulties, submitted by Mark Soosaar. The Minister of Defence Jaak Aaviksoo answered the question about the budget of the Ministry of Defence, submitted by Lauri Laasi, and the question about foreign missions, submitted by Sven Mikser.

 

The Riigikogu Press Service