International

On Thursday, Secretary of State for European Affairs Frans Timmermans presented the public version of the Lisbon Treaty to Parliament. The SP has long urged the publication of a version of the Treaty understandable to all. According to SP Member of Parliament Harry van Bommel, there is however at least one page missing. "In the whole booklet of 32 pages there is not a single word about the fact that the Irish people said no to the Lisbon Treaty, which means that it cannot come into effect."

The transposition and implementation of social laws governing conditions in the road transport industry are running hopelessly behind what is supposedly legally required. Four member states are said to be in a complete mess over the matter, but they have not been named. This has an influence on the regulation of working hours, driving times and rest periods which is bad for road safety and bad for the health of people who drive for a living.