Brussels, 10/12/2010 (Agence Europe) - Proinsias De Rossa (S&D, Ireland), who is rapporteur on social services of general interest (SSGI), organised a hearing with his political group in Brussels on Thursday 9 December on the future of services of general interest (SGI). Currently there is scepticism about the EU's will or ability to ensure the sustainability and quality of and accessibility to these services. The Commission is being knocked for its lack of action with regard to social services of general interest. Commissioner Michel Barnier (Internal Market, Services) was particularly goaded by the president of the Committee of the Regions (CoR), Mercedes Bresso, for his promise to present a communication on public services in 2011, a promise made just last week before the CoR. Mercedes Bresso said they have been waiting for a communication on this … for years now.
Trade union criticism. Henri Lourdelle (ETUC/European trade unions) bemoaned the reticence shown by the Commission to take the legislative course, adding that one may take support from the principle of subsidiarity (a TFEU provision). Trade unions propose (although ideally it would be best to have a regulation) that member states establish registers to exclude SGI and SSGI from internal market rules. Should such registers be established, the Commission, he said, could intervene in the event of manifest error, even if the example of Dutch social housing has shown that all danger cannot be avoided. Carola Fischbach-Pyttel (EPSU/Public service unions) felt the key question was whether they could prevent Commission proposals in the single market field from pulling the rug from beneath their feet when it is a case of SSGI of a social and economic nature.
Criticism of EESC (European Economic and Social Committee). Raymond Hencks took the view that the Commission was completely opposed to a regulatory framework, as the Commission feels the current objectives of the treaty have been reached and that the protocol is a result in itself. The Luxembourg trade unionist suggests that a common base be set in place for SGI, a “framework directive” because, as he put it, that is the way to go. This can still be achieved on the basis of regulations and Article 14 of the TFEU. Hencks called for clarification of Article 106, which allows derogation to competition rules when there is doubt relating to the specific notion of SGI. He did add, however, that this should not be detrimental to trade development.
Criticism of European Liaison Committee on SGI. Jean-Claude Boël said the Commission is “going round in circles” and does not wish to face the truth. He said the internal market is a tool, not an end in itself. The Commission, he asserted, believes there is a refusal to apply the Lisbon Treaty. The role of the Commission, he said, is to apply the treaty and not to modify it or to only take on board the parts that interest it most.
Criticism of CoR. President Bresso took the view that the Commission's lack of action was all the more deafening with regards: (1) the case law announced by the Court of Justice for early 2011 on the question of whether the Commission is entitled to define income ceilings allowing Dutch families to gain access to social housing. The CoR is convinced that the Commission is clearly exceeding its role here and that this is detrimental to the principle of subsidiarity. The Committee supports the protest initiated by MEPs of several political groups with a written declaration on this subject; (2) the current economic, financial and social crisis which illustrates the role of public services as “automatic stabilisers”. Another major concern of the CoR relates to the eligibility of co-funding for SSGI in the context of the future generation of structural funds, a point that, according to Bresso, could be developed by Proinsias De Rossa in his report.
Commission's point of view on SSGI. The Commission underlines that the EU does not make social services fragile but simply aims to allow them to be implemented at the lowest cost for the community. This sometimes also concerns the keeping of some services. The Commission's ambition is to: (1) simplify the life of local authorities and their contractors; (2) emphasise the quality of public services and their accessibility to all; and (3) take a broader view the issue by taking an interest in new approaches aimed at supporting inclusion, the idea being to make the single market an instrument for greater social cohesion. The Commission considers it necessary to develop a social market economy which operates as closely as possible to the citizens - an economy which is not opposed to the market and social aspects but which makes them go hand in hand. It is in this light that the Commission is preparing its single market pact. The Commission calls on Europeans to look at this subject, to take it on board. It has announced a major three-month public debate organised throughout the EU. (G.B./transl.jl)