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The European Parliament adopted in first reading the Payment Services Directive. Parliamentarians approved the compromise text agreed in ECOFIN on 27 March. Rapporteur Jean-Paul Gauzes (EPP, FR) said that the compromise text is acceptable, although it is far from perfect. However, is represents a solid basis for a common payment services market. An oral amendment posted by Pervenche Beres was added (more details soon).
Mia de Vits (PSE, B), representing the view of the IMCO committee and Rainer Wieland (EPP, D) from JURI committee both welcomed the report but also underlined that future market developments have to be observed carefully to prevent market abuses. Mrs de Vits as well as Mr Pitella (PSE, I) also called the Commission to regulate if the banking sector misuses its power or fails to comply with the regulation.
Various speakers including Mr Radwan (EPP, D) and Mr Hoppenstedt (EPP, D) warned of increased charges.
Mr Purvis (EPP, UK) said that transmissions should be done without delay and called on the Commission to undertake further steps.
Many MEPs including Sharon Bowles (LIBE, UK), Pervenche Beres (PSE, FR) and Mr Gauzes raised their concerns on data protection issues arising from the new regulation - remembering the ‘SWIFT’-case. Mrs Beres also demanded a guarantee by the institutions that the situation is not worsening.
Finally, Ieke van den Burg (PSE, NL) and Pia Noora Kauppi (EPP, FIN) called for a careful use of “first reading procedures” in future as the Parliament in some cases only had the choice to “take it or leave it”.
Letter to the European Parliament
Proposal
The oral amendment is not yet included.