What Antonius spoke about.

4

Oct

2022

NL Speech

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Radio Equipment Directive: common charger for electronic devices (debate)

Mr President, Madam Vice-President of the European Commission, when I made this proposal in 2009 – which was not really taken seriously by my colleagues at the time – I could not have imagined that it would open all radio stations in the European Union in 2022. Apparently, it is one of the most important achievements of the European Union in the last 50 years, because I cannot imagine radio statio…

13

Sep

2022

NL Speech

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The new European Bauhaus (debate)

Mr President, I would like to thank everyone for their cooperation and especially the rapporteurs for their very constructive attitude and the openness in which we have dealt with this dossier. This concerns sustainability, energy-neutral homes but also homes in a sufficiently green environment. It acts here for beauty, not only because of its low cost but it must also be future-proof to the eye. …

7

Jul

2022

NL Speech

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Better regulation: joining forces to make better laws (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, and also Mr Tiemo Wölken, we naturally support this report. I would like to add one word to the title ‘Better legislation’. It should be: “Less but better legislation”. I also propose to stop directives, and to base legislation only on regulations, in order to have harmonised legislation within the European Union. We'd need fewer lawyers, and that would be good. It is e…

7

Apr

2022

NL Speech

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Right to repair (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, I would like to thank the authors of this resolution for the call for attention to the right to recovery. For too long – for decades – we have had the revenue model of discarding and repurchasing. Throw away, buy, throw away, buy. But that time has to end and I think we need to think about a new revenue model. Throwing it away blind, that's all. And we will continue to …

4

Apr

2022

NL Speech

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Urgent need to adopt the minimum tax directive (debate)

Mr President, competition on taxation is always a wrong incentive. We have to compete on quality. So it is good that the European Commission comes forward with a minimum tax rate at European level. It is good that European companies that do pay taxes as they should can compete fairly with other companies. We must ensure that Europe is one when it comes to industry and business, that the internal m…

9

Mar

2022

NL Speech

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A new EU strategic framework on health and safety at work post 2020 (continuation of debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, it is bizarre that we are talking about safety in the workplace, while in a neighbouring country nothing is safe anymore and civilians are being bombed. But we are talking about the future now and the future must be good for workers. It is good that there is a new framework for health and safety in the workplace. Cancer still causes most work-related deaths. Dangerous s…

9

Mar

2022

NL Speech

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Batteries and waste batteries (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, the current sad situation in the world shows more than ever that for the energy transition, Europe needs to build its own battery cell production in order to stop being dependent on third countries. We need 19 times more batteries to meet our climate goals. I am very pleased with the compliments I have received on the fact that the dossier approved in the IMCO Committee…

17

Feb

2022

NL Speech

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Protection of workers from the risks relating to exposure to carcinogens, mutagens and reprotoxins at work (continuation of debate)

Mr President, the fight against cancer is an important battle that Europe must fight not only for today, but also for the future. The protection of workers in the workplace from carcinogens should be a key objective for the European Union. This fight is an investment in future savings. If people get cancer, this is not only disastrous for their families, but also for society, because of the costs …

15

Feb

2022

NL Speech

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A statute for European cross-border associations and non-profit organisations (debate)

Mr President, this is a fantastic political discussion tonight between people – colleagues – who think from and believe in the added value of the European Union and people – colleagues – who do not. We exchange arguments and I belong to the category that believes in the cooperation of the European Union, its added value and the development of the values and norms that we know in Europe. In 2001, I…

15

Feb

2022

NL Speech

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Tackling non-tariff and non-tax barriers in the single market (debate)

Mr President, the single market is the best that the European Union has produced. It has ensured prosperity and free movement of goods, services and capital. However, almost 30 years after the introduction of the Single Market, it appears that Member States are still adopting protectionist measures, thus hampering the functioning of the Single Market. Moreover, 70% of SMEs make little or no use of…

15

Feb

2022

NL Speech

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Implementation of the Toy Safety Directive (debate)

Mr President, toys have become much more complex since 2009, which is now thirteen years ago. It is therefore a good thing that this directive is being revised. In this context, I would like to ask the Commission to come forward with a proposal for a regulation. After all, all children in Europe deserve safe toys. We have seen in recent years that more and more complex toys are being placed on the…

19

Jan

2022

NL Speech

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Digital Services Act (continuation of debate)

Mr President, Commissioners and Mr Schaldemose, thank you for your work, it is very important. The online market is growing and the economy has an interest in trust. That is why it is very brave of the European Commission that we are now going to take the lead and use the leverage of the internal market to export our values in Europe in a global world. We are big enough to be able to determine tha…

14

Dec

2021

NL Speech

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European framework for employees' participation rights and the revision of the European Works Council Directive (debate)

Mr President, Mr Bishop, thank you for the fine report, Commissioner, it is very important to have a say at work. It is a healthy environment for workers and employers that is essential for our economy. Europe is a community of core values in which we must treat workers appropriately. Participation is very important in the workplace, so that an employee is motivated to perform his work properly. S…

21

Oct

2021

NL Speech

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Insurance of motor vehicles (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, I would like to congratulate Dita Charanzová, in particular, for having achieved this after so many years. It is a good compromise and it is good that this is also supported by the Member States. The free movement of persons in the European Union is a very good thing and that can be greatly improved by this directive. It is good that insured persons are protected in cas…

13

Sep

2021

NL Speech

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Fair working conditions, rights and social protection for platform workers - New forms of employment linked to digital development (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, two memorable events took place in the Netherlands today. First, all COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted in two weeks because more than 80% of the population has been vaccinated. Second, the Amsterdam District Court decided that Uber drivers should be regarded as employees and not as self-employed. Today we are talking about the social conditions of workers in platform…

5

Jul

2021

NL Speech

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Old continent growing older - possibilities and challenges related to ageing policy post 2020 (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, it is good that we have drafted this resolution in order to give the Commissioner some guidance on the implementation of active ageing. I have been elected by older people in particular on the list of an older party and I therefore find it special that this Parliament talks about older people. I am glad that my amendment has been adopted, because it will ensure that we …