EASL submits Oral Questions for new Commissioners
From 11-19th January 2010, the European Parliament is holding a series of hearings for the new European Commission candidates (referred to as "Commissioner-designates"). In response to a request from the European Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) to receive potential stakeholder questions for use during the hearings, EASL put forward a number of suggested topics to the Socialist group.
For the hearing of EU Commissioner-designate for Health, Mr John Dalli, EASL would like to understand the Commission's rationale for not adopting a disease-specific approach in its policy making, including for liver disease. It would also like to know the Commission's plans for tackling alcohol-related liver disease and reducing alcohol-related harm.
For the hearing of EU Commissioner-designates for Taxation, Mr Algirdas Gediminas Å emeta, and for the Internal Market and Services, Mr Michel Barnier, EASL raised issues related to pricing and taxation of alcohol products.
Finally, for the hearing of EU Commissioner-designate for Innovation and Science, Ms Má¡ire Geoghegan-Quinn, EASL would like to confirm whether the next EU Research Framework Programme (FP8) will address liver disease alongside the other major chronic and communicable diseases.
Following the hearings, and if MEPs approve of the 26 new candidates nominated to work alongside President Barroso, the European Parliament's final vote on the new College of the European Commission is expected to take place on 26 January 2010. The new Commission is then expected to take office by 1 February 2010 for a mandate of five years.
More information about the S&D Group is available at:
http://www.socialistsanddemocrats.eu/gpes/index.jsp?request_locale=EN
More information about the Commissioners-designate and the hearings is available at:
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/hearings/documents/default.htm?language=EN&folioId=3
