Lisbon will deliver better protection for public services
Issued : Monday 31 August, 2009
Statement by Proinsias De Rossa
Speaking at the launch of the Labour Party's Lisbon Campaign ‘Work with Europe’ today, Proinsias De Rossa MEP said the Treaty represents a 'concrete step forward' in the campaign to achieve better protections for public services at European level, and is clearly recognised as such by NGOs and trade unions active on this issue for years.
Mr De Rossa said: "The Lisbon Treaty makes three main advances as far as public services are concerned:
"'First, the European Court has previously found that public services for which some payment is involved, such as public transport, are covered by EU competition and state aid rules in certain circumstances. Article 14 of the TEU now provides a new legal base enabling the adoption by MEPs and Ministers of European laws providing better safeguards for these services. Such a law has been a long-standing objective of NGOs and trade unions across Europe for years, including the European Public Health Alliance, the European Trade Union Council for Education, the European Anti-Poverty Alliance, the European Disability Federation, the European Women's Lobby, Mental Health Europa, and the European Trade Union Confederation. It is also supported by the Labour Party's political group in the European Parliament, the Socialists and Democrats Group.
'Second, the new, binding Public Services protocol (No.26) would set out a very progressive framework for all future European initiatives in this area. The Protocol emphasises the values and principles of universal access, users' rights, high quality, affordability and safety, and users' needs and preferences resulting from different geographical, social or cultural situations.
'Third, the Charter of Fundamental Rights, which would be made legally binding by the Treaty (Art.6, TEU), includes the right to access public services (Art.36), social services (Art.34), and healthcare and medical treatment (Art.35). Any European law or national law implementing a European directive that infringes these rights could be overturned in the European Court.
"The Lisbon Treaty is a major step forward in the long running campaign to achieve better safeguards for public services at European level and in defence of the principle of subsidiarity for the organisation and funding of such services.”
