White paper on pensions

27.6.2012

Question for written answer E-006452/2012
to the Commission
Rule 117
Barry Madlener (NI)

1. Is the Commission familiar with the White Paper ‘An Agenda for Adequate, Safe and Sustainable Pensions’[1] and the position of the Netherlands House of Representatives concerning it[2]?

2. That position indicates that the House of Representatives considers the Commission’s White Paper to be contrary to the subsidiarity and proportionality principles (Article 5 TEU); the House of Representatives does not consider that the Commission has the power to concern itself with pensions. Does the Commission agree? If not, why not? Can the Commission adduce legal arguments to show that it does have the power?

3. The Netherlands Parliament wonders whether there is any European interest at stake and whether powers relating to the matter are vested in the EU. Does the Commission consider there to be a European interest at stake and believe that powers relating to the matter are vested in the EU? If so, what? Can the Commission explain its position?

4. Can the Commission indicate how the Netherlands can oppose the White Paper, other than by means of the yellow and orange card procedures?

5. Will the Commission withdraw the White Paper? If not, why not?

• [1] COM(2012)0055.
• [2] http://www.tweedekamer.nl/images/Standpuntnotitie_pensioenen_118-228196.pdf

OJ C 263 E, 12/09/2013