Phosphorite
Session: 15th Estonian Parliament, 4th sitting, information briefing
Date: 2024-11-06 15:22
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 11
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 7m
AI Summaries: 11/11 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The discussion of the Riigikogu’s seventh question focused on phosphorite research and then expanded to green transition policies. Riigikogu member Evelin Poolamets asked Prime Minister Kaja Kallas about the phosphorite research taking place at the Aru-Lõuna quarry, wanting to know what the next stage is, why samples are sent abroad, and whether Estonia is itself sufficiently capable of carrying out the research. Prime Minister Kallas confirmed that the research is being led by the Estonian Geological Service (EGT), which is a state service and operates solely in the interests of Estonia. She emphasized that the EGT’s task is to obtain an overview of mineral resources by the end of 2025, and only after that, as a result of public and parliamentary debate, further decisions will be made. Kallas dismissed rumors that foreign companies are controlling the resources, noting that although the EGT may order analyses from outside, the entire activity is under the control of the state service.
In a follow-up question, Rain Epler broadened the topic to the green transition, referring to the outcome of the US presidential elections and donning a Donald Trump hat. Epler asked how quickly the Prime Minister would begin revising her green transition policies to focus on stable, weather-independent energy sources. Prime Minister Kallas replied that innovative future technologies and weather-resistant solutions should not be opposed, and economic success lies in new solutions and innovation, not in the past. The session chair made a remark to Epler regarding parliamentary good practice concerning wearing headgear in the hall.
Decisions Made 1
Decisions were not made.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The seventh question, asked by Riigikogu member Evelin Poolamets to Prime Minister Kristen Michal, concerns phosphorite.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets posed questions to the Prime Minister regarding the preparations for test drilling for phosphate research, noting the 30-tonne phosphate to be produced from the Aru-Lõuna quarry in November and asking what the next step will be, which companies will be involved in the research, why the samples are sent to laboratories in foreign countries, and whether foreign firms will also decide on phosphate processing technologies, why the terms of reference have not been published, and whether Estonia is sufficiently capable of carrying out these studies itself.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal confirmed that the Estonian Geology Service is a state service of Estonia, whose task by the end of 2025 is to prepare an overview of mineral resource reserves, and further decisions will be made solely on the basis of public debate and parliamentary deliberations, not on rumors or political directions.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanks Evelin Poolametsa and asks her to pose a clarifying question.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets thanks and asks whether foreign firms are in any way connected to their experiments and whether she has understood correctly.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
They said that the Estonian Geological Service is leading the investigation, and if they commission external analyses or work, it is their choice, but under the control of the civil service; and in the end we pay for and commission those works ourselves, not anyone else.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, thanked and asked Rain Epler to pose an additional question.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler asks how quickly the prime minister plans to revise the green transition policy and direct attention to stable energy sources that are not dependent on weather conditions, not only to wind turbines and solar parks.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar said that hats are not worn indoors, and although Riigikogu members are free, it would be polite to leave head coverings out of this room, even if Rain Epler is wearing a baseball cap on his head with the inscription 'TRUMP'.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
He stressed that the Estonian Parliament must maintain proper decorum, but Estonia must invest in new technology projects and energy solutions and learn from the American innovation experience, because economic prosperity comes from the future, not from the past.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanks and announces that the consideration of the seventh question will be terminated.