Second Reading of the Bill on Amendments to the Emergency Situation Act and Related Amendments to Other Acts (426 SE)
Session: 15th Estonian Parliament, 4th sitting, plenary session
Date: 2024-09-18 22:25
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 35
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 42m
AI Summaries: 35/35 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
Agenda Item 5 addressed Draft Act 426 (second reading), initiated by the Government of the Republic, concerning the amendment of the Emergency Situation Act and related amendments to other acts. The purpose of the draft act is the transposition of the CER Directive and ensuring the provision of vital services during various crises, including the expansion to broadcasting (ERR and Levira) as vital service providers. Additionally, the planning of continuity of operations for vital services and the preparation of risk analysis were touched upon; the National Defence Committee, as the leading committee, submitted several amendments, and the discussion took place over several sessions (June 6, September 10, 12, and 16). Within the framework of the draft act, the timing of the plan’s entry into force and implementing acts related to the involvement of the healthcare sector and digital/CT impacts were also discussed. The National Defence Committee gathered opinions from the Economic Affairs Committee and the Constitutional Committee and received due support from the Economic Affairs Committee; the Constitutional Committee waived giving an opinion, as the draft act does not regulate the Constitutional Committee’s area of competence. Furthermore, the discussions addressed the list of vital service providers, the transparency of the register, and the public nature of the register. The general emphasis was placed on how new obligations, costs, and responsibilities are distributed among different institutions, and what the accepted solutions are for acting on the necessary topics within the established timeline.
Decisions Made 2
The National Defence Committee decided unanimously on September 10th to place the draft bill on the agenda of the Riigikogu Plenary Session for the second reading (for today, September 18th).
At the September 14th sitting, it was unanimously decided to conclude the Riigikogu's second reading, based on the underlying procedural work having been completed (to terminate the second reading).
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Kristo Enn Vaga (pid: VsYdHLGoCws), a member of the National Defense Committee. He spoke on several occasions, provided an overview of the draft bill's content, participated in the discussions, and drew attention to the need to align both the procedural and technical aspects. Regarding his position, he can be conditionally categorized as being in an 'other' role (Member of the National Defense Committee), as his direct function involves the committee's work and shaping the outcomes of the draft bill's proceedings.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi announces the next item on the agenda: the second reading of Draft Act 426, initiated by the Government of the Republic, concerning the amendment of the Emergency Situation Act and related amendments to other acts. The report will be presented by Kristo Enn Vaga, a member of the Riigikogu National Defence Committee.
Kristo Enn Vaga
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kristo Enn Vaga said that the National Defence Committee discussed the draft amendment to the Emergency Situation Act and the transposition of the CER Directive, adding the national broadcaster and Levira as vital services and assigning their organization to the Ministry of Culture, made a consensus proposal for the second reading and finalization, and emphasized the timeframe and the role of the institutions to be involved.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanked the presenter for the very clear presentation, announced that there were three questions, and invited Vladimir Arhipov to take the floor.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vladimir Arhipov pointed out that digital services and cybersecurity services should be included among vital services, discussed the organization of the vote, and asked where the four-year national risk analysis deadline originates and whether it is based on a directive, especially during turbulent times.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanks his good colleague.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The speech questions whether that difference is too large.
Kristo Enn Vaga
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kristo Enn Vaga stressed that a clear requirement for risk analysis, based on cyber or digital capabilities, will be imposed on essential services. This analysis must be updated every four years in collaboration with the essential service provider, given that the world and threats, such as pandemics and cyberattacks, are constantly evolving.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi said that there is a 19-page guide available for conducting the Riigikogu session, from which a short excerpt—one or two pages—must be made and distributed to colleagues, because preparation was not done this time. The guide dates back to July 10, 2017, and if necessary, the questions to be asked will be added later. Priit Sibul, please.
Priit Sibul
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Priit Sibul noted that although the session's discussion was productive and participation was high, the issues faced by the sub-federations were primarily resolved by the Government Office during crisis regulation. Furthermore, the adoption of the CER directive introduces new requirements whose underlying concepts were never discussed. He then posed a specific question concerning ITL, asking what a reasonable solution for identifying individuals would be.
Kristo Enn Vaga
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kristo Enn Vaga stated that the discussion was fruitful and that the Readiness Act, which transposes the directive and whose expansion is being kept as minimal as possible, will soon be submitted to the Riigikogu for deliberation. The documented questions provide a better starting point for finding solutions. The boundaries of background checks require consultation with institutions dealing with internal security, and due to the position taken by the State Chancellery, a longer and more thorough discussion is necessary within VOS. The requirement for this discussion should either be included in the draft bill before it reaches the Riigikogu or added at that stage.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He/She thanks the chairperson and the presenter, noting that the initial three questions were insufficient, and now more questions have been added.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This is just an invitation for Arvo Aller to come and speak.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller raised a question concerning the nationwide risk analysis, noting that it serves as the basis for local government risk assessments. He mentioned July of next year as the likely date and requested an action plan detailing when local municipalities can conduct their risk analyses, when the Government of the Republic will provide the necessary data for the assessment, or if this work is perhaps already ongoing behind the scenes.
Kristo Enn Vaga
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
When the Act enters into force, the risk analysis process will commence, during which the Government Office will conduct a nationwide risk analysis, and the organisers of vital services, together with the actual service providers, will perform a separate risk analysis for each company, which must be approved by the organiser.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanked [the previous speaker] and invited Priit Sibul to speak.
Priit Sibul
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Priit Sibul criticizes the Government Office for adding the topic of family doctors and primary healthcare services, as well as the involvement of the national broadcaster, to the draft bill without consulting healthcare workers or media companies.
Kristo Enn Vaga
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kristo Enn Vaga stated that the working group’s analysis concluded that the national broadcasting service meets the criteria for a vital service, which is why it is sensible to include ERR and Levira as providers of this service and to expand the scope of vital services to also cover family doctors. Furthermore, the risk analysis will be carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Health Board, and the State Agency of Medicines, and family doctors will be involved regardless.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The purpose of the address was to invite Vladimir Arhipov onto the stage.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Discussions are underway regarding the need to establish a special coordination mechanism to ensure the smooth functioning of vital services during a crisis. The question is also being raised as to who exactly coordinates the work of all institutions—the Government Office, a ministry, or the minister.
Kristo Enn Vaga
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The Government Office, acting as the overall lead, coordinates crisis management efforts and directs the process, while providers of vital services and the relevant ministries work within their respective sectors and manage the process at the lower levels.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi calls upon Arvo Aller to take the floor.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller expresses confusion regarding the procedure for obtaining the status of an essential service provider and asks whether there is a list or a register, who determines this (the state, local government, or the Rescue Board), whether the content of the register is public, and whether the entry into the register or the designation takes place before the risk analysis and compliance with other requirements.
Kristo Enn Vaga
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kristo Enn Vaga noted that the public availability of the registration is still undecided, and he will clarify the matter after the sitting. He added that the specific sectors for qualifying as a vital service provider are defined by law—where, for instance, food supply might encompass nearly a hundred companies—and these specific services will be determined by the ministry through implementing legislation after the law enters into force.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanked the participants, announced that the question period was over, opened the discussions, and invited Priit Sibul to take the floor.
Priit Sibul
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Priit Sibul criticized the bureaucracy and burdens associated with transposing the directive, noting that 21 services will be created instead of 14, and the administrative burden will increase for 422 companies. He also stated that engagement and preparedness for crisis response are insufficient.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi confirmed that three more minutes would be given.
Priit Sibul
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Priit Sibul stated that banking is regulated by the European Central Bank and officials, and they did not receive an answer in the committee. Furthermore, the draft law increases bureaucracy and costs, which is why the Isamaa faction does not support it.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Deputy Chairman thanks [the previous speaker] and invites Leo Kunnas to take the floor.
Leo Kunnas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Leo Kunnas said that the EU directive was necessary in order to include vital services (food, medicines, ports, airports, national media, etc.) in crisis and war situations, and although the technical details still require work, this is an important step in the expansion of national defense, and he urged people to vote in favor of the bill.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker thanks the audience and invites his colleague, Kristo Enn Vaga, to the Riigikogu rostrum.
Kristo Enn Vaga
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Estonia is expanding the regulation of essential services, adding the national public broadcaster (ERR) and Levira, and emphasizing the importance of crisis preparedness and crisis plans to ensure the continuity of services and the availability of information during crises, thereby increasing the crisis resilience of the state and businesses.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker thanks the colleague and then invites Peeter Tali to the Riigikogu rostrum.
Peeter Tali
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Tali stressed that during a crisis, the Riigikogu must be physically present, jointly making decisions and guaranteeing the state's functionality. He also highlighted the importance of controlling the information space and put forward a proposal for a swift legislative amendment, suggesting that Levira and ERR be designated as ETO in the event of crises.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar concluded the debate, announcing that four amendments had been submitted concerning the draft bill: the first (by Peeter Tali, Meelis Kiili, Leo Kunnas, Raimond Kaljulaid, Enn Eesmaa, and Alar Laneman) would be considered substantively; the other three (by the National Defence Committee and the lead committee) would be accepted in full. Furthermore, the lead committee recommended concluding the second reading of the draft bill, thus the second reading of this draft bill is concluded.