The Government forwarded a Supplementary Budget to the Riigikogu
Prime Minister Andrus Ansip made a political statement in connection with forwarding the 2005 Supplementary Budget to the Riigikogu. Mr. Ansip stated that the success of the Estonian economy had enabled to draft a supplementary budget with revenue in the amount of EEK 2.16 billion and the expenses in the amount of EEK 1.89 billion. An improved tax discipline and increasing export made it possible to ensure the increase in pensions as well as investments in health care and education. The presented supplementary budget shows considerable surplus in the government sector – EEK 332.7 million, from which the difference between the revenue and expenses of the state budget is EEK 269.3 million. “The Government has resisted the temptation to incur popular, but short-sighted expenses. We have drawn up a forward-looking budget,” Mr. Ansip stressed. The 2005 Supplementary Budget has been drawn up “with a sense of responsibility regarding budget and finance policy,” Prime Minister explained.
During the debate Members of the Riigikogu Jaanus Männik, Taavi Veskimägi, Eiki Nestor, Ain Seppik and Meelis Atonen took the floor.
The Riigikogu passed with 59 votes in favour the Disciplinary Measures in the Defence Forces Act and the Defence Forces Service Act Amendment Act (639 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic, the purpose of which is to reorganise and simplify the procedure for disciplinary proceeding in the Defence Service and make it work more effectively. The Act was also amended with the view of solving problems, cropped up in the implementation of the Act.
The Riigikogu concluded the second reading of two Bills:
The Bill on Amendments to the Acts regulating the Activities of Notaries (575 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;
The Employment Services and Subsidies Act (611 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.
The Riigikogu concluded the second reading of seven Bills:
The Bill on Amendments to the Animal Protection Act and the Farm Animals Breeding Act (689 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;
The Bill on the Ratification of the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management (684 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;
The Bill on Amendments to the Government of the Republic Act and the Chancellor of Justice Act (675 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;
The Bill on the Ratification of the Convention between the Republic of Estonia and the Republic of Lithuania for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital and the Protocol thereto(682 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;
The Bill on Amendments to the Product Safety Act (702 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;
The Bill on Amendments to § 3 of the Universities Act (699 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;
The Bill on Amendments to § 3 of the Universities Act (700 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.
At Question Time Prime Minister Andrus Ansip answered the questions of ministers about the internal division of tasks, the governing of state and the composition of the Cabinet.
Minister of Internal Affairs Kalle Laanet answered the question about the expediency of renting out the rooms to the Police Board.