European and External Relations Committee, 31 Mar 2009

Meeting date: Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Official Report 236KB pdf

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“Brussels Bulletin”

Item 4 is our "Brussels Bulletin". Do members have any comments on that?

The bulletin contains a helpful update on what happened at the spring council in relation to the financial regulation package and so on. It also covers cohesion policy, and I was interested to note that a jobs summit is to be held on 7 May 2009. We might want to get further information on that. I wonder whether we should write to the Scottish Executive to ask whether it intends to be represented at that summit. Do members agree to that?

Members indicated agreement.

I note that page 2 of the bulletin covers the European economic recovery plan, which I mentioned to the minister earlier. The Council has agreed to increase the moneys that are set aside for energy projects by about €0.48 billion, but it is decreasing the funding for carbon capture and storage by €20 million, which might have an effect on Longannet.

I notice that, in the appendix, Ian Duncan has helpfully listed the projects with sums attached. Longannet is mentioned, but it does not state how much of the envisaged €180 million would be for Longannet. We can certainly keep an eye on that.

That was a carbon capture and storage project.

According to the list, a fairly large sum is still attached to the project. However, we will keep a watching brief on it, because I, too, noticed the reduction in carbon capture.

So there is good news and bad news.

The Aberdeen offshore wind farm is still on the list, which is good news.

Do members have any other comments?

Colleagues will recall that, a few bulletins ago, we were told about a robbery at the European Parliament. I note that we have not received an update. Is the person still at large? I hope that he will be caught soon; I am worried that he will strike here as well.

I am sure that the clerks will give you an update.

I look forward to it.