Draft law (587 SE) on joining the protocol amending the Convention on offences and certain other acts committed on board aircraft
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, plenary session
Date: 2025-05-15 00:58
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 25
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 16m
AI Summaries: 25/25 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
11. Agenda item addressed the draft law 587 for the first reading of the accession to the protocol amending the convention concerning offenses and certain other acts committed on board aircraft, initiated by the Government of the Republic. The aim is to create a clear and legal framework that gives the state the power to deal with offenses committed on board and to provide greater safety and order in aviation. Estonia has not previously acceded to the Montreal Protocol (the protocol amending the 1963 Tokyo Convention), therefore there is insufficient legal clarity as to who and how will hold offenders accountable. Statistics show that a large proportion of cases do not reach proceedings and cabin crew and salon personnel suffer under the needs of emergency medical care and safety. Accession to the protocol will bring clearer rules of jurisdiction, conditions for preliminary investigation and procedure for handing over fellow passengers, as well as the right of the airline to claim damages, regardless of the aircraft's state of registration. In addition, it was emphasized that accession does not require amendments to national legislation or additional state budget commitments, but will provide the aviation sector with uniform and significantly improved safety standards and opportunities for cooperation with other countries. The second part addressed how to resolve passenger behavior risks in this context and the response of law enforcement when a flight lands in Estonia and the offender is on board, and how to avoid double proceedings in cooperation with other countries. Finally, examples were highlighted such as smoking in the toilet, e-cigarettes, failure to fasten seatbelts and consumption of alcohol, which can endanger cabin and flight safety and against which the new protocol would provide better tools. Consensus was that the draft law does not require changes to national laws, but emphasizes better safety and legal certainty, and the agreement on the next steps was clearly stated: the first reading of the draft law is concluded and the discussion is continued according to the board’s proposals.
Decisions Made 2
The completion of the first reading: Draft 587's first reading is concluded on the proposal of the board.
The deadline for submitting amendments is: May 28th at 5:00 PM.
Most Active Speaker
The most active representative of the leading committee was Valdo Randpere (pid srHAk7kXYU4). He represented the leading committee and his speeches focused on achieving consensus decisions for the committee and shaping procedures. His position is "right" or, in context, with a right-wing/more conservative third-party stance.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Riigikogu is being presented with the first reading of Bill 587, initiated by the Government of the Republic, which concerns accession to the protocol amending the convention regarding offenses and certain other acts committed on board aircraft. The rapporteur is Infrastructure Minister Kuldar Leis, whose address includes an apology for the long delays, explaining that democracy takes precedence.
Taristuminister Kuldar Leis
AI Summary
The main objective of the proposal is to accede to the Montreal Protocol in order to provide Estonia with a clear legal framework for dealing with disruptive passengers committed on board, and to specify jurisdiction, the conditions for the transfer of passengers, and international cooperation, thereby increasing air transport safety and avoiding double proceedings.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Deputy Chair thanks [the speaker/audience] and notes that the audience has at least one question, and invites Helle-Moonika Helme to pose the question.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Rapporteur Helle-Moonika Helme said that the draft bill is highly necessary because we have all traveled extensively and know what can happen aboard an aircraft. She then asked whether Taavi Rõivas's removal from the plane in Helsinki should have been treated differently under the provisions of this draft bill, or if everything was handled correctly.
Taristuminister Kuldar Leis
AI Summary
The Montreal Convention only addresses offenses that occur aboard an aircraft; incidents on the airfield are not covered. If Estonia joins this convention, the procedures for handling such violations will also be extended to Estonian citizens.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Rain Epler was invited to speak.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler stated that concrete examples like these help people better grasp the legislative framework. He then followed up on the previous questioner and asked whether Taavi Rõivas was removed from the Helsinki–Japan flight, and if this might have been caused by Finland having joined the Montreal Protocol before we did. He suggested that if Estonia had joined, Rõivas would have been taken off the flight in Tallinn, and it would have become an international scandal. He concluded by asking the minister to comment specifically on whether Finland joined before us and whether that fact is connected to the case.
Taristuminister Kuldar Leis
AI Summary
He said that, as far as he knew, Finland had joined, but he couldn't describe the specific case accurately.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Evelin Poolamets was called up at the beginning of the speech.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets recalled the incident involving Taavi Rõivas, where he was removed from a flight in Helsinki on a Saturday evening, and it was claimed that he was intoxicated. She then asked how the relevant protocol applies in such cases when the flight is heading to a third country (Finland is an EU country, but the trip was going to Japan).
Taristuminister Kuldar Leis
AI Summary
Infrastructure Minister Kuldar Leis stated that this is only enforceable if Finland has joined, and if Estonia or Japan has not joined, it cannot be implemented. It can be rescinded, but no penalties can be imposed.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Vice-Chairman offers thanks and announces that there are no questions, and then proceeds with the introduction of the discussion held in the lead committee, inviting Valdo Randpere, a member of the Legal Affairs Committee, to serve as the rapporteur.
Valdo Randpere
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Valdo Randpere briefly reported on the committee's work, emphasizing that responsibility would be assumed for violations committed aboard the aircraft. He also announced that the draft bill would be presented to the plenary session on May 14th, the first reading would be concluded, the deadline for submitting amendments would be ten working days, and I was unanimously appointed as the representative of the leading committee.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller notes that you have questions and invites Evelin Poolamets to ask them.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The journalist brought up the incident that occurred on Taavi Rõivas's flight and asked whether the passing of this bill was connected to his behavior, or if it had accelerated the bill being brought to the floor.
Valdo Randpere
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Valdo Randpere told Evelin that she was mistaken — he had not said that Taavi Rõivas’s issue was discussed in the committee. He added that Estonian lawmaking is not based on isolated phenomena or individual cases, based on which changes could be made or conventions joined.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets, using rude irony, warns against the blatant security takeover and misappropriation of funds, recalling the incident where a former prime minister was ejected from a plane due to drunken conduct, emphasizing that such behavior by high-ranking officials is disgraceful and must be prevented going forward.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Anti Poolamets was requested during the call.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller announces that now is your time.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets notes that something has been visible, and asks how to comment on it.
Valdo Randpere
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Valdo Randpere discussed the case of Taavi Rõivas and raised the question of whether being denied boarding is comparable to committing an act during the flight and subsequently being held accountable. He noted that actions taking place before boarding the aircraft are regulated by public order laws, and following Estonia's accession to the convention, one cannot act with impunity aboard a plane.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Deputy Speaker invites Helle-Moonika Helme to take the floor.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme criticized the liberals, praised the conservatives, and issued a warning to her own parliamentary group regarding the law. She humorously referred to Taavi Rõivas being removed from a plane, noting that if this law had existed, he could have ended up in jail. She concluded by encouraging the faction to speak with their own members rather than looking in her direction.
Valdo Randpere
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Valdo Randpere stresses that if Estonia accedes to the convention, the perpetrators of the crime will be held accountable, because currently they are free to walk around the airport, and he calls on the listeners to vote in favor of the bill.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller announced that the first reading of Bill 587 has concluded, and the deadline for submitting amendments is 5 PM on May 28th of the current year.