First Reading of the Bill for the Act Amending the Emergency Situation Act and Related Acts (426 SE)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, third session, plenary sitting
Date: 2024-06-04 13:50
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 35
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 36m
AI Summaries: 35/35 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu debated the first reading of Bill 426, initiated by the Government of the Republic, concerning the amendment of the Emergency Act and related acts. The primary objective of the bill is the transposition of the European Parliament and Council's CER Directive (Critical Entities Resilience Directive) into Estonian law to ensure the continuity of operations (resilience) of vital service providers (ETO) in all situations. Prime Minister Kaja Kallas introduced the bill, noting that Estonia’s existing regulation has served as a model, meaning only the minimally necessary requirements from the directive are being adopted. The amendments expand the scope of ETOs by adding six new services (e.g., airports, general practitioner care, supply of medicines and food), increasing the number of ETOs by 315 enterprises. Significant amendments stipulate the obligation for the Government Office to prepare a nationwide risk analysis and a continuity strategy, which must be completed by the beginning of 2025. Furthermore, ETOs are required to conduct background checks on individuals working in critical positions.
Kristo Enn Vaga, a member of the National Defence Committee, provided an overview of the committee’s discussion, which included addressing the status of the Estonian Public Broadcasting (ERR) as an ETO; the committee decided to meet separately with ERR representatives on Thursday regarding this matter. Despite some questions (e.g., funding for road maintenance and the involvement of the Social Affairs Committee), the leading committee proposed concluding the first reading of the bill, emphasizing the urgent deadline for transposing the directive (October 17, 2024).
Decisions Made 2
The first reading of Bill 426 (Draft Act on the Amendment of the Emergency Act and the Amendment of Other Related Acts) was concluded.
The deadline for submitting amendment proposals was set for 17:15 on June 18, 2024.
Most Active Speaker
Kristo Enn Vaga (Member of the National Defence Committee) was the most active speaker, presenting the leading committee's report and thoroughly answering most of the questions asked regarding the content and procedure of the draft bill. (Positive note)
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Riigikogu now moves to the fourth item on the agenda, which is the first reading of Bill 426, initiated by the Government of the Republic, concerning the amendment of the Emergency Situation Act and related amendments to other acts. The presenter will be Prime Minister Kaja Kallas.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas announced that the government will submit a draft act to the Riigikogu for the transposition of the CER directive, which will expand the scope and number of vital service providers, establish a nationwide risk analysis and independent audit, and implement background checks, thereby ensuring resilience and continuity of operations during crises; the transposition must be finalized within 21 months, no later than October 17th of the current year.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Deputy Speaker thanks the honorable Prime Minister and asks Eero Merilind to put one question.
Eero Merilind
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Eero Merilind asks whether naming them ETOs signifies 26 family doctors, or 26 health centers.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
The draft bill addresses the topic of general practitioners (GPs), and although it is not clear whether this will be organized as a health center, the current text nevertheless specifically refers to GPs.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He thanks the Prime Minister once again and says that he has no further questions.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Kaja Kallas noted that it went quite easily.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Kristo Enn Vaga, a member of the National Defence Committee, will introduce the discussion that took place in the leading committee and the decisions that were made there.
Kristo Enn Vaga
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The Parliamentary Committee on National Defence unanimously decided to submit the draft bill to the Riigikogu Management Board for its first reading by June 4th and to conclude that first reading, emphasizing that the bill aims to transpose the CER Directive to ensure the operational continuity of vital service providers, and to incorporate issues of risk analysis and background checks, while also cooperating with other committees.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi expresses his thanks, announces that there are questions, and invites Raimond Kaljulaid to respond.
Raimond Kaljulaid
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Raimond Kaljulaid stressed the issue of ERR's critical service status and asked how the National Defence Committee intends to approach it—whether the committee would merely explain why ERR is not treated as a critical service, or if the committee could propose designating ERR as a critical service and amending the relevant draft bill, taking into account the matter concerning the directive.
Kristo Enn Vaga
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kristo Enn Vaga said that the issue of the national broadcaster is vital for Estonia, and there are two ways to resolve it: to discuss it within the framework of this bill or through the draft law on civil crisis and national defense. He added that the Riigikogu must take up this procedure by October 17th and hopes for rapid progress in the subsequent readings.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi calls upon Helle-Moonika Helme to speak.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme asks how essential road construction and maintenance services are ensured during times of crisis, considering the 4.4 billion deficit in maintenance funding, and what the state plans to do to address this issue based on risk analysis.
Kristo Enn Vaga
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The National Defense Committee has not yet reviewed the risk analysis for this sector or the funding issue before the first reading, but the topic is a good one and will certainly be discussed further.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Speaker Toomas Kivimägi invites Irja Lutsar to the stage.
Irja Lutsar
Profiling Eesti 200 fraktsioonAI Summary
Irja Lutsar emphasized that an emergency is not necessarily limited only to war, highlighting that a pandemic constitutes an emergency of international importance. She then asked whether the discussion of the proposed legal changes could also be held in the Social Affairs Committee, or if their opinion should be requested, given our existing experience in handling emergencies.
Kristo Enn Vaga
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vaga stated that the crisis is not merely war, and the draft legislation addresses wide-ranging crises, including medical crises. The National Defence Committee deals with these issues daily, and we are seeking input from several committees—including the Social Affairs Committee regarding matters concerning family doctors—to ensure that both this bill and the civil crisis bill are as beneficial as possible for Estonia.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Urve Tiidus is requested to come to the stage in the announcement.
Urve Tiidus
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The rapporteur emphasizes that the skill of risk assessment is crucial and must be taught early on. The draft legislation addresses the preparation of risk analyses at the state and local government levels, and the rapporteur inquires about the deadlines and whether the European directive mandates financial investments, where necessary, to cover the costs of various assessments.
Kristo Enn Vaga
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kristo Enn Vaga said that local governments must complete risk analyses by June 2025. The general analysis will be conducted with input from the State Chancellery and ministries, focusing on securing vital services and increasing public readiness through the “Be Ready!” app and information sheets. However, funding is not discussed within the framework of the draft bill, and the shortcomings must be addressed by the Riigikogu and the government.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi calls upon Helle-Moonika Helme to take the floor.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
There is talk that the directive requires member states to identify service providers whose services have a broader impact across the European Union and who will be subject to assessment by the European Commission. Concerns are also being raised as to whether this might exclude local Estonian service providers and restrict our right to prioritize domestic suppliers.
Kristo Enn Vaga
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kristo Enn Vaga said that Estonia values its providers of essential services, but the large service providers in the transport sector cater more broadly to the entire European Union, and the resolution of crises must be approached as a joint effort of all 27 member states, not just Estonia’s alone.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Speaker Toomas Kivimägi called Madis Kallas to the stage.
Madis Kallas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Madis Kallas emphasized the importance of the issue at the local, national, and European Union levels, and asked whether the commission’s discussions had considered even stronger involvement of local authorities and different forms of engagement in the future.
Kristo Enn Vaga
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
When assessing the level of crisis preparedness, it is crucial that all local municipalities understand the risks and their specific role in crisis management, and through cooperation, we can ensure that people are better protected.
Leo Kunnas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Leo Kunnas said that the national broadcaster is a provider of a vital service, and the commission has the opportunity to resolve this issue by consensus, but what's done is done, and there is still a lot of work ahead, including drafting a new law, irrespective of its name.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi turned to Leo Kunnas and asked him.
Kristo Enn Vaga
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The speaker thanked [the body], stated that he did not disagree with the Vice-Chairman of the Committee, and requested that the proposal be submitted so that it could be discussed by the Committee.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi gives thanks, announces that the questions are concluding, opens the negotiations, and Raimond Kaljulaid represents the Social Democratic Party faction.
Raimond Kaljulaid
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Raimond Kaljulaid emphasized the importance of the Prime Minister's leadership and recommended that the National Defence Committee expand its work toward comprehensive national defence, incorporating population protection and cooperation between local governments and ministries. Furthermore, he requested that, before taking a final position on the discussion concerning the role of the national broadcaster, they wait, thoroughly consider both arguments, and present a recommendation to the plenary session. He stressed, however, that while the national broadcaster plays an exceptionally crucial role during crises, its precise form must be formalized at the appropriate time.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Leo Kunnas is appearing in person on behalf of the EKRE faction.
Leo Kunnas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Leo Kunnas delivered a very brief statement and noted that the national broadcaster cannot necessarily say they don't want to be providers of a vital service, adding that he currently has nothing further to add.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi concluded the debate, announced that the first reading of Draft Law 426 was finished and that the deadline for submitting amendments is June 18th at 17:15, and thanking the Prime Minister.