Press conference after the meeting of the government on Tuesday 12th December 2006

Martin Schmarcz, head of the press unit: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the press conference after the meeting of the government. First of all, I would like to apologize for postponement of the start of the press conference, because there were many issues on the agenda before Christmas. Second, I would like to apologize ourselves for smaller participation of members of the government, which is caused by the fact that the session of the Chamber of Deputies starts immediately after the finish of the meeting of the government. Attention of your editorial teams is certainly going to be fixed on this; it means that if the only one member of the government, the Minister of Interior and Informatics who is present here, is not able to answer all your questions, you will have opportunity to ask ministers who will be certainly present in the Chamber of Deputies. And now I give the floor to the Minister of Interior and Informatics, Ivan Langer.

Ivan Langer, Minister of Interior and Informatics: My introductory speech will be very short. What do you want to ask about?

Martin Schmarcz, head of the press unit: Your questions, please.

Martina Kaiserová, televize Nova: Good afternoon. I would like to ask, how the government considered the senatorial bill concerning the Good Friday.

Ivan Langer, Minister of Interior and Informatics: It did it very responsibly and if I am not mistaken, it did not express any position regarding this issue; neither a negative position nor a positive one. It just resolutely, very resolutely recommends to make an analysis of economic impacts in case of introduction of that new national holiday, especially on employers and consequently on the state budget. The bill will be debated in the Chamber of Deputies. I suppose there will be a very tempestuous debate. Overwhelming part of members of the government was of the opinion that if we want to introduce a new national holiday, we should remove some other one, as it is necessary to work.

Martin Schmarcz, head of the press unit: Ladies and gentlemen, further questions, please. The ČTK.

Jornalist Kňourek, ČTK: I would like to ask, whether the government defined the term social housing, whether it decided on the area limit.

Ivan Langer, Minister of Interior and Informatics: Motion of my head is a clear answer, which means no. This material was not debated at the meeting of the government today.

Martin Schmarcz, head of the press unit: Further question, please.

Jan Šindelář, ČTK: Good afternoon, I would like to ask a question concerning the point no. 3, whether the government approved the Bill amending the Act on Investment Incentives. And then, concerning the point no. 22, whether it approved the National Programme for support of small and medium enterprises.

Ivan Langer, Minister of Interior and Informatics: My answer is yes, yes.

Martin Schmarcz, head of the press unit: Regarding details, you may ask the relevant ministers.

Ivan Langer, Minister of Interior and Informatics: Exactly, I would recommend you to solve those concrete issues that you are interested in, with the relevant ministers, because owing to the fact that the session of the Chamber of deputies is going to start, they are on their way to the Chamber of Deputies.

Martin Schmarcz, head of the press unit: Please.

Pavel Otto, Radiožurnál: Minister, I would like to ask you for your information on the night shooting in Prague. Thank you.

Ivan Langer, Minister of Interior and Informatics: I admit I have been participating in the meeting of the government since the morning and therefore I have no detailed information. The only one thing I know is that the person shot and wounded claimed he was an advisor of the Minister of Interior. Without disclosure of the identity of that person, I can unambiguously claim that he had never been my advisor and he had never cooperated with me; I know him, but I do not want to disclose his identity, as it is a duty of the Police.

Pavel Otto, Radiožurnál: If I may add a question, are such incidents common? Are you going to take any special measures? Thank you.

Ivan Langer, Minister of Interior and Informatics: It is a very serious matter as gun was used in the centre of the town and therefore nobody can rest unconcerned. Nevertheless, we have to accept the fact that such cases happen. With regard to the degree of seriousness of this case, I will want to know the standpoint of the Police President, whether it was really extraordinary event or whether the background of this incident is more serious than it appears at present. Therefore relevant measures should be taken. It is very hot news; I apologize myself for not having more information than I have already gave you.

Martin Schmarcz, head of the press unit: Further question, please. If there are not any, I finish the press conference and I wish you to spend nice rest of the day.

Ivan Langer, Minister of Interior and Informatics: Have a nice day.