ETO
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, press briefing
Date: 2024-05-15 15:16
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 13
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 11m
AI Summaries: 13/13 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
Riigikogu member Lauri Laats submitted a question to Prime Minister Kaja Kallas regarding companies providing vital services (ETO), which concerned amendments to the Emergency Act and the addition of food supply companies to the ETO list. Laats highlighted the concern of three major food industries (Maag Food, Valio, Tartu Mill) that the obligations and investments associated with being an ETO would have to be borne by the companies themselves, which would harm their competitiveness. He asked whether the state would lend a helping hand and invest in preparedness, which is a matter of national interest.
Prime Minister Kallas explained that the ETO regulation is necessary to ensure continuity of operations and is partially the transposition of a directive. She noted ironically that representatives of the food industry had previously repeatedly demanded ETO status themselves. Kallas emphasized that being an ETO entails obligations and bureaucracy, and the state cannot support the entire sector; instead, only critically important companies will be selected. Responding to the question about investments, Kallas stressed that state money comes from the taxpayer's pocket and that ensuring preparedness is also in the interest of the entrepreneurs themselves. She focused particularly on cybersecurity requirements, such as the capability for isolated operation (island mode), which is necessary in conditions of cyberattacks and communication disruptions. Kallas confirmed that the Information System Authority (RIA) supports the food sector in meeting the requirements, and five years have been given for the transition.
At the end of the discussion, Urmas Reinsalu used his supplementary question time to return to an earlier, off-topic question, demanding a specific sum (in euros) from the Prime Minister regarding the unspent money from the 2023 state budget, criticizing Kallas for presenting percentages. Kallas replied that Reinsalu should be able to calculate the sum himself, and the official data will be published after May 15, once the ministries have submitted the transferable amounts to the Ministry of Finance.
Decisions Made 1
Decisions were not made
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar presented the second question to Prime Minister Kaja Kallas. The question, posed by Lauri Laats, concerned ETO, and it became clear that this was not a recycling organization, but rather an issue related to companies providing vital services.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
As a member of the Riigikogu, Lauri Laats asks whether the government plans, through an amendment to the Emergency Situation Act, to add food suppliers to the list of vital services, and whether the state will fund the fulfillment of these vital service provider obligations, or whether this burden will fall to the companies' own investments, which places them at a competitive disadvantage.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas stated that the Emergency Situation Act is already being reviewed by the National Defence Committee, and she plans to defend it before the Riigikogu (Parliament) during the first reading. She emphasized the continuity of vital service providers during crises as essential for ensuring the functioning of the state, and highlighted the plan to add the food industry to the list of vital services and to draft a new bill that would add six more services to the current 14, while simultaneously taking into account the interests of small producers and avoiding an unequal burden.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The speech emphasizes that "Your Time" has arrived, and now it is your turn to act.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
He notes that he will continue answering the next question.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman confirms that the opportunity exists, because Lauri Laats is receiving a clarifying question.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The speaker emphasizes that food supply companies are vital, and the state should secure food reserves and, if necessary, take over their obligations. However, this would make the three companies on the list less competitive, and the Minister of Economic Affairs is concerned and wants to provide them with assistance.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kallas stressed that government funds and all support grants originate from the taxpayer. Furthermore, the food sector must comply with cybersecurity requirements, including having a contingency plan in place if IT systems are located in a foreign country or if communication is disrupted, because the service must remain operational. The State Information System Authority is offering a five-year transition period, and companies are required to invest in cybersecurity, as everything is linked to information systems. This is not an additional expenditure, but rather a necessary cost for service continuity.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanks [the previous speaker] and calls on Urmas Reinsalu for a follow-up question.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu posed a specific question to the Prime Minister regarding how many euros from the 2023 budget remained unused (the legislature had confirmed 16.8 billion euros, but the official response was 16.2 billion), and demanded clear and public information concerning the state of the nation's finances.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar pointed out that the question did not pertain to an essential service, and therefore the Prime Minister is free to choose whether to respond or not, but if she wishes to do so, he requests that she answer.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Kaja Kallas stated that if the total amount and the percentage are disclosed, the used and unused sums can be calculated, and by May 15, ministries must submit the amounts to be transferred to the Ministry of Finance, and this information will be made public.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar gives thanks and announces that he is concluding the consideration of today's second item.