Preparations for the European Council (8-9 March 2007)

Speech by Liz Lynne on Tue 13th Feb 2007

Mr President, I am glad we accept in this resolution that the Lisbon Agenda is not only based on economics but has a social dimension as well. With that in mind, it is important that we bring those excluded from the labour market into employment by making sure the 2000 Employment Framework Directive is implemented equally across all Member States. It is just as important that we continue to call for specific directives on age and disability, because if people cannot get to work, then they cannot even take the employment if they are offered it.

I also welcome the section on better regulation, but I would have liked to have seen it include a reference to sunset clauses on all legislation.

Finally, proposed health and safety legislation should be based on up-to-date scientific and medical evidence. I call also for everyone to vote for my amendment on the Interinstitutional Agreement on better lawmaking.