Draft law amending the Act on Identity Documents and amending other laws in consequence (497 SE) – first reading
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
Date: 2024-11-12 13:37
Total Speeches: 5
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 5m
AI Summaries: 5/5 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Analysis
Summary
The agenda included the first reading of bill 497, the Act amending the Personal Documents Act and other related laws, initiated by the Republic’s Government. The bill was presented by the Minister of Justice and Digital Transformation, Liisa-Ly Pakosta, who explained that the purpose of the amendment is to transpose European Union Directive 2019/997, which establishes a unified European Union return certificate. The Minister emphasized that this is a positive example of the adoption of EU law, which reduces bureaucracy and administrative burden by replacing the existing three documents with a single document with higher security.
The amendment provides better opportunities for consular assistance for Estonian citizens in third countries where an Estonian representation may not be present. In the event of loss or theft of a travel document, Estonian citizens can turn to the consular representation of any EU member state. The Chairman of the Constitutional Committee, Hendrik Johannes Terras, confirmed in a supporting presentation that the committee unanimously supported the bill. During the discussion, the main issue addressed concerned the ability to pay for a return certificate in the case of a citizen experiencing financial difficulties, for which an international consular assistance framework exists. The bill is scheduled to enter into force on December 9, 2025.
Decisions Made 2
Bill 497 has concluded its first reading.
The deadline for submitting amendments was set for November 26th at 5:15 PM.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Riigikogu is discussing the first reading of the draft law No. 497 on amending the Identity Documents Act and, in connection therewith, amending other laws; the presentation will be given by the Honorable Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa-Ly Pakosta.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
The speech discusses the transposition of the European Union Directive 2019/997, the aim of which is to create a unified return certificate, reduce bureaucracy and provide faster and safer solutions for citizens of Estonia as well as citizens of other member states, since the three existing documents are replaced by one, with the entry into force planned for 9 December 2025.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He thanks the audience, notes that there are no questions, and invites as a co-presenter Hendrik Johannes Terras, the chairman of the Constitutional Committee, in the capacity of a representative of the Riigikogu's speaking-dais' leading committee.
Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
In the presentation, it was stressed that the idea is good, and the committee discussed financing mechanisms for obtaining the return certificate, where relatives can pay or the state helps and the person pays back later; the reasons for the entry into force and the need to prepare the document and its framework were explained, and the committee, by consensus, proposed to terminate the first reading, for which the deadline for amendments to the draft bill is ten working days.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi informed that the sitting has ended, the first-reading draft bill No. 497 has been completed, and the deadline for submitting amendment proposals is November 26 at 17:15, and he thanked you all, colleagues.