Verbatim report of proceedings

Monday, 21 May 2012 - Strasbourg

13. Order of business

  President. – The final draft agenda, as drawn up pursuant to Rule 137 of the Rules of Procedure by the Conference of Presidents at its meeting of Wednesday, 16 May, has been distributed. The following changes have been proposed:

Monday: no amendments.

Tuesday and Thursday: The groups have agreed to bring forward the oral question on the trade agreement with Colombia and Peru from Thursday to Tuesday afternoon and to defer the report by Mr Kazak on macro-financial assistance to third countries from Tuesday afternoon to Thursday.

Wednesday: no amendments.

  Astrid Lulling (PPE). – (FR) Mr President, I am a little surprised to see what Parliament’s priorities are after hearing the order of business for this week.

We had asked for permission to submit an oral question on the situation in the dairy sector. It has not been retained while we have kept a debate on homophobia yet again. We have a human rights charter in the Treaty and discrimination of any kind is not allowed.

I would therefore like to know, Mr President, why we are not discussing the priorities that concern our economy. We want growth, but instead of dealing with agriculture, we are dealing with homophobia.

(Applause)

  President. – Ms Lulling, as you know, the agenda is determined by the wise decisions made by the group chairs. I will pass on to those concerned the fact that you favour dairy production over homophobia, and I hope they will be understanding.

  Jean-Pierre Audy (PPE). – (FR) Mr President, the Heads of State or Government are meeting in an informal Council. It was customary for the President of the Council to come and report on the Councils, even when they were informal. However, I believe you will take the floor at 19.00 – I also hope that they will let you stay for dinner so that the President of Parliament can stay at the Council – but has the President of the Council been invited? How can we explain why he is not coming to report on the Council, even though it is informal?

  President. – Mr Audy, you have rather wrong-footed me. I will make enquiries and let you know why Mr Van Rompuy is not coming. In principle, however, you are right. Mr Van Rompuy ought, in fact, to be here. Mr Swoboda, do you know?

  Hannes Swoboda (S&D). – (DE) Mr President, I know from an earlier occasion that Mr Van Rompuy declines to come beforehand because he feels he has nothing to say at that time – since he does, after all, have to ask the Heads of Government first. However, I absolutely agree with Mr Audy, because looking at it the other way round, it might be useful for Mr Van Rompuy to find out from us what he should say there or how he can support the President in his address. Since the President is to put across Parliament’s opinion, it would be a very good idea for Mr Van Rompuy to hear this opinion first. I believe, Mr President, it really would be a good idea to ask Mr Van Rompuy more often. Since such decisive consultations now take place in the Council, it would be good if Mr Van Rompuy were also to attend Parliament more often.

  President. – I will pass that on and present Parliament’s position in the necessary form by the time of the family photo at the latest.

(The order of business was thus established)