Meeting Between on the Implementation of the INSPIRE Directive

Meeting between on the implementation of the INSPIRE Directive,

Brussels, 17th November 2015

Summary Report (draft)

Participants.

COM, DG ENV, Unit D4

Joachim D'Eugenio, Hugo de Groof, Joeri Robbrecht, Adam Daniel Nagy

IE

Mrs Helen McGrath –

Mr Robert Ovington –

Mr Ronan Mulhall -

Agenda item 1.Setting the scene

DG ENV introduced the context for the bilateral meetings as set out in the background by highlighting in particular:

• meetings are envisaged with most Member States on the topic of bad implementation, and the same topic will also be discussed at the upcoming MIG-P meeting in December,
• these meetings are drawing on the conclusions on implementation based on the analysis of MS reports, the EU geo-portal, and the mid-term evaluation report as well as studies,
• meetings have as objective to look into the future, see assistance, funding possibilities and to see where Member States may have difficulties, and to draw up a roadmap,
• the meetings also have a principle focus on priority-setting and common understanding with Member States on the environmental acquis as part of the INSPIRE implementation process as well as a contribution to the new initiative on streamlining of monitoring and reporting. The priority-setting is presented to the MIG-P in December as well. Bi-laterals with MS and MIG processes go hand in hand.
• there is a need for a holistic view of the implementation of the Directive that serves multiple purposes related specifically to environmental policy areas, but also broader initiatives, such as the Digital Single Market priority of the European Commission (in particular concerning cross-border and cross-sector interoperability and e-Government). IE reassured COM of commitment for implementation and cooperation.

Agenda item 2. Introduction by DG ENV on missing data sets and key priorities for implementation and reporting

DG ENV explained the complexity of INSPIRE implementation and main challenges, and how implementation can be stepped up, by priority-setting. Based on section 2 of the meeting document, DG ENV introduced the suggestion of a stricter priority setting in order to address the problem of missing datasets and future implementation challenges more effectively, it can be concluded that the situation is sub-optimal (as is, not related to data-modelling, etc.).As a pragmatic approach the EU environmental directives which have upcoming reporting deadlines until 2020 should be covered when ensuring that the related datasets are being made INSPIRE compatible (in accordance with the implementation roadmap respecting requirements on metadata, services, interoperability). So far, it seems that only limited amount of reporting datasets were available in IE. DG ENV explained the usefulness of having a more focused coordination with experts in charge of environmental reporting in other policy areas. DG ENV highlighted that there are missing datasets for reporting, by 2013 the datasets should have been made available as is, without harmonisation. It was found that this is not the case. Therefore, it can be concluded that there are missing crucial reporting units, that were already reported and available for the MS.It was explained that there needs to be priority-setting in terms of organising the information (see pyramid in ppt).

IE presented the status quo and indicated that spatial data infrastructure in IE is still still not functioning well enough. There is currently an on-going centralisation process, based on national geo-spatial strategy to be set in motion in the coming months. Services will be looked at and ensured from a centralising perspective. Other services are used, not GML, these are however not INSPIRE compliant. It can be made so, but it involves major resources. There is a need of great support. There are also datasets that over time have become less compliant.Open data process is also developing. Main challenges include the services compliance, ESRI is used. In many cases the non-compliant services are more effective.

DG ENV indicated that many of the technical issues were solved by JRC. A proper evidence-base is crucial. It was highlighted that as regards the technical choice of the services put in place MS have a broader discretion, GML is not a specific requirement, only provided in technical guidance.

Agenda item 3. Introduction by DG ENV on compliance with INSPIRE requirements on "Interoperability of spatial data sets and services"

Based on section 3 of the meeting document, DG ENV presented the main figures on the implementation of interoperability and the related use of common data models. It was indicated that 2015 report was not submitted by IE. In particular, the importance of interoperability was highlighted which has demonstrated to deliver great benefits for those involved in implementation on certain cross-border use cases. Moreover, the priority setting discussed earlier is particularly relevant also for harvesting the added value of interoperability. DG ENV highlighted the usefulness of a roadmap to handle the implementation and that priority setting would be helpful and also to include this in the INSPIRE report due by 2016 May. It was asked how was the harmonisation done and how it is planned to be achieved?

IE indicated thatthe lack of Annex II and III data is because IE until now focused on Annex I data. It was also indicated that there were problems with coordination with local government. IE understood that they needed to do marketing activity with the reporting experts in IE. On Annex II and III data there is a lot of work on-going, eg. marine atlas. Relevant actors will be contacted to ensure that actions are undertaken in line with the priorities identified by DG ENV.

DG ENV indicated that it is absolutely necessary to submit the report along with the updated numbers, preferably included in the roadmap as indicated in the conclusions.

Agenda item 4. Presentation by DG ENV on compliance with metadata under Annex I-III

Based on section 4 of the meeting document, DG ENV presented the information as regards the INSPIRE compliance of number of metadata.

It was highlighted that there is an implementation gap on metadata. Metadata was found to be of quite high quality. There was a problem with communication with the thematic clusters, no feedback received on metadata.

DG ENV will provide metadata elements that are missing/non-compliant in cooperation with JRC. DG ENV to ensure that the clusters respond, to follow-up on this specific communication.

Agenda item 5. Introduction by DG ENV on non-compliance of Spatial Data Services (discovery, view and download services) with the requirements of the INSPIRE Directive

Based on section 5 of the meeting document, implementation progress and gaps with conformity and availability of network services were presented.

DG ENV highlighted that the use cases are very important and to demonstrate benefits. A preferable service is indicated, in guidance, there is no obligation to set up a specific service, like GML, it is only guidance, not binding, and the main objective is to ensure usability and relevant INSPIRE requirements. Open data initiatives are very much appreciated and IE was called to address this in the May report on INSPIRE as a good use case.

IE highlighted that a possible reason for the not high numbers could be that the PSI licences are in place.IE asked whether there would be validators for services?

Agenda item 6. Introduction by DG ENV on compliance with INSPIRE requirements on data-sharing between authorities

Based on section 6 of the meeting document, DG ENV introduced the topic, by explaining the importance of coordination between the different levels in the public administration. It was also highlighted that effective data-sharing policies are one of the key objectives of the Directive. Request for more information on the technical obstacles. DG ENV highlighted that based on INSPIRE and access to environmental information Directive the available datasets should be available in the public domain.

IE was invited to share experiences on the main obstacles that were also highlighted in the recent INSPIRE report. Open data policy is one of the cornerstones of IE policies. The MoU as proposed this week.The INSPIRE licence is superseded by open data policy, both are INSPIRE compliant. The organisational reform is foreseen to be concluded by presumably 2016.

Agenda item 7. Discussion with Member States experts on funding opportunities

DG ENV presented briefly the financing opportunities at EU level which may be used in support of implementing the INSPIRE Directive. DG ENV indicated that it will provide additional information in a structured way to all Member States and will encourage them to share their experiences with EU-funded projects. IE indicated that it would be interested in these opportunities, but also highlighted that these are rather resource-intensive, though no question of being very rewarding.

Conclusions/follow-up.

The meeting was welcomed by all participants to take stock on the current state of implementation and identified collaborative ways forward to close the existing implementation gaps.

IEDelegation agreed to take the following actions:

-To respond to the draft summary report within two weeks of receipt. The final, agreed summary report will be made publicly available by the Commission.

-To follow-up on the issues raised at the meeting and to reply to the letter sent by the European Commission to the Permanent Representation of 14th July 2015 within three months of the meeting, including the 2015 due report on INSPIRE, i.e. 27th February 2016.

-Without prejudice to the legally mandated deadlines, to prepare an action plan including a timetable which addresses remaining implementation gaps discussed at the meeting as soon as possible with particular priority on those data sets which are relevant for EU environment legislation. The action plan together with the timetable for actions will be communicated together with the next INSPIRE implementation report in May 2016 at the latest.

-To use national coordination structures between national INSPIRE experts and other nationalexperts to discuss the issues of datasets used for reporting of environmental legislation in order to make a coordinated effort in data-identification covering both reported priority data sets and INSPIRE data themes.

The Commission, DG ENV, agreed to take the following actions:

-To circulate the draft summary report within two weeks of the meeting to thedelegation for comments and approval.

-To trigger a discussion at EU level on a minimum set of datasets linked to EU environmental legislation. This issue will be raised at the MIG-P meeting in December where a first document will be presented and discussed.DG ENV will continue following up on the process after December.

-DG ENV to ask JRC to provide feedback on metadata compliance (missing metadata, etc.) and to ensure that the clusters respond, to follow-up on this specific communication on metadata advice. The IE delegates will provide contact points.

-DG ENV to ask EEA to continue engage with the IE authorities to solve technical problems experienced during the delivery of the last annual reports to Reportnet.

-Undertake to explore the legal provisions of defining the implementation specifics of the technical infrastructure as regards REST/OGC/GML/etc. services.

-Raise at MIG/T topic of sharing best practices as regards validation of network services.

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