Interpellation concerning the state of traffic in Estonia (No. 593)
Session: Fifteenth Riigikogu, third session, plenary session
Date: 2024-04-15 18:51
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 21
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 24m
AI Summaries: 21/21 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The first item on the agenda was the interpellation concerning the state of traffic in Estonia, submitted by Riigikogu members Rain Epler, Helle-Moonika Helme, and Rene Kokk on January 17. The interpellation raised several points of concern: why previous interpellations had not reached the agenda, how snowdrifts and slippery road conditions affect traffic, whether the Transport Administration has established the necessary monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for this purpose, and whether the implemented changes increase or decrease traffic safety. The topics covered also included the funding of road maintenance, risks arising from the budget, and the possibility of finding additional funds in crisis situations. Furthermore, specific reference was made to recent incidents and an example from Võru County concerning the redesign of an intersection, which has created traffic flow issues and concerns about road safety. The interpellation in question included a request for objective monitoring and measurement of the results regarding the impact of the upgrades made to the roads.
The second part of the agenda item presented the response: the reply was submitted to the Riigikogu by the Minister of Climate. The response focused on funding and organization—the importance of ensuring the maintenance of safe winter road conditions and which mechanisms and plans have been adopted or are being implemented. It also outlined how work to improve traffic safety is planned and what the monitoring and evaluation processes are like at both the state and local government levels.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were taken during the consideration of the inquiry.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker: Rain Epler (Member of Parliament). Position: Other (No party- or positional left-right alignment is identified here; he represented the interpellation as a competent representative and spoke several times during the presentation and question segments).
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar now introduces the fourth item on today's agenda: an interpellation concerning the state of traffic in Estonia, submitted by Rain Epler, Helle-Moonika Helme, and Rene Kokk. He then invites Rain Epler to take the floor.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler noted that although safety improvements and alterations have been carried out, traffic safety does not appear to have improved. His questions concern monitoring the impact, implementing corrections where necessary, and the effect of funding and oversight.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar invited Climate Minister Kristen Michal to the Riigikogu podium to answer an interpellation.
Kliimaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
When responding to the inquiry, the Minister of Climate stated that funding for the road maintenance plan has been increased within the framework of the 2024–2027 State Budget Strategy (RES). Furthermore, under winter conditions, the requirements established by the regulation are adhered to, and both a reserve and options for extending contracts have been created. The Transport Administration collects and analyzes data on hazardous locations to improve traffic safety and updates the list of necessary reconstructions annually. While the Climate Ministry is not legally assigned the supervision of the road owner, it primarily performs this oversight through the administrative supervision procedure provided for in the Government of the Republic Act.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks the Minister and notes that there are questions. To start, Rain Epler, please.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler posed a forward-looking question, seeking confirmation that the cuts being implemented due to the economic downturn would not include road maintenance and upkeep.
Kliimaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Climate Minister Kristen Michal said that the government makes budget decisions comprehensively, but his personal opinion is that roads need additional funding, and when money is scarce, priorities such as the national defense sector and education must be taken into account, and this will lead to further discussion.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar called Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart to the stage.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart criticizes the draft legislation that plans to double fines, arguing that its primary goal is filling the budget. She claims there is a lack of analysis regarding its impact on traffic behavior and the reduction of misdemeanors and traffic violations, adding that the bill should have been coordinated with her ministry.
Kliimaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
He noted that the draft bill is likely in the approval round, but he does not currently have it and will review it later, emphasizing that the increase in fines must be tied to the objective of improving traffic safety by guiding offenders toward law-abiding behavior, a point which can be formulated more precisely in the commission and parliament if necessary.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar invites Arvo Aller to the stage.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller said that funding would increase and asked whether the state plans to allocate VAT and excise duty funds to local governments for the maintenance and investment of roads of local importance.
Kliimaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Kristen Michal said that comparing the 2023–2026 and 2024–2027 budget strategies shows that road funding will increase by 37 million, the share of foreign resources will decrease, and an additional opportunity will be added through the European Union's military mobility measure. However, he noted that the demands are greater than this sum, and since the budget debates are only just beginning, it will be possible to say more precisely in the autumn where the discussions will lead.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar addresses Anti Poolamets and asks.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
This address highlights the importance of national defense and military mobility, urging a more thorough consideration of these issues. It suggests not focusing solely on EU funds, but rather identifying successful existing examples.
Kliimaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Kristen Michal stressed that there is a broad consensus in Estonia concerning the threat posed by the eastern neighbor, and national defense capabilities have been enhanced. He commended the state, entrepreneurs, taxpayers, and politicians for their decisions, adding that approximately 80 million euros have been allocated by Europe for road construction under the Military Mobility program, with 40 million covering the financing of this particular road section.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked the Minister, announced that there were no further questions, opened the debate, and invited Anti Poolametsa to the Riigikogu rostrum.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets is warning the Reform Party that the idea of abolishing conscription threatens Estonia's national defense, recalling ten years of opposition to the proposal and calling for them to stop the rhetoric and acknowledge the necessity of reinstating mandatory military service.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman closed the list of speakers and the debate, and invited the Minister to take the floor at the Riigikogu rostrum.
Kliimaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Climate Minister Kristen Michal said that what is being said from this podium is complete arbitrary nonsense and is certainly not worth the salary and expense allowances of a member of the Riigikogu.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked everyone and announced that since there were no further requests to speak, he was closing the debate and concluding the consideration of the fourth agenda item.