Overview
This report covers Parliamentary Questions (PQs) and Commission Answers published between 16.03.2026 and 22.03.2026. During this period, 11 new PQs were published and 15 Commission Answers became available. Key themes this week included Public Health & Prevention, with a focus on cancer, mental health, and gender-based violence; Digital Health & Data Governance, particularly concerning the regulation of AI and online platforms under the DSA and AI Act; and the intersection of External & Environment-Health Links, covering issues from occupational safety and chemical exposure to air and noise pollution.
❗ EU funding for mental health in outermost regions
In a response to E-000321/2026, published on 19.03.2026, Executive Vice-President Fitto outlined the EU’s comprehensive approach to mental health, which includes EUR 1.3 billion in funding opportunities. He specified that funds such as the European Regional Development Fund and the European Social Fund Plus support health infrastructure and training in outermost regions, citing examples in Réunion, Saint-Martin, Guadeloupe, and Mayotte. The Commission’s proposal for the next MFF urges Member States to include specific measures for these regions in national and regional plans to improve access to health.
❓ Effectiveness and future of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan
In E-001032/2026, published on 19.03.2026, Dan-Ştefan Motreanu (PPE) asks the Commission how it plans to address shortcomings in Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan identified by the European Court of Auditors. The MEP seeks clarification on measures to strengthen governance, eliminate project duplication, introduce measurable targets, and secure sustainable financing for the plan beyond 2027. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Comparison of new cancer cases across Member States
Published on 17.03.2026, E-000972/2026 from Gerald Hauser (PfE) raises concerns about an accelerating increase in cancer cases since 2021, citing Austrian data and reports of more aggressive ‘turbo cancers’. The MEP asks the Commission for data on cancer figures in each Member State before and after 2021, whether any countries are statistical outliers, and if the Commission can rule out a link between the increase in cancers and COVID-19 vaccinations. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Controls on dangerous cosmetics imported into the EU
In a response published on 19.03.2026 to E-005070/2025, Executive Vice-President Séjourné addressed concerns about dangerous cosmetics containing carcinogenic substances. He stated that all cosmetics sold in the EU, including online, must comply with Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 and have an EU-based responsible person. The Commission is strengthening controls through a proposed revision of the Union Customs Code and dialogues with third countries. A future revision of the Market Surveillance Regulation will aim to strengthen the responsible person framework and may use the Digital Product Passport to support enforcement, noting that Safety Gate cases for cosmetics rose from 211 in 2022 to 1,717 in 2025.
❓ Unitary patent system and supplementary protection certificate
In E-001002/2026, published on 19.03.2026, Tsvetelina Penkova (S&D) asks the Commission about measures to encourage the remaining Member States to ratify the Unified Patent Court Agreement. She also inquires about the state of negotiations in the Council on the proposed supplementary protection certificate (SPC) with unitary effect and what steps the Commission will take to overcome the current deadlock. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Protection of minors from harmful content on AI companion chatbots
Replying to E-000256/2026, Executive Vice-President Virkkunen stated on 18.03.2026 that the AI Act prohibits manipulative AI systems that cause psychological harm or exploit children’s vulnerabilities, with enforcement starting in August 2026. The Digital Services Act (DSA) already requires online platforms to ensure a high level of safety for minors and mitigate systemic risks, including to mental well-being. The Commission noted that guidelines on the protection of minors recommend safeguards for AI chatbots and that it is working towards a harmonised EU approach to age verification.
❗ Protection of minors from harmful audiovisual content
In a response published on 17.03.2026 to E-000357/2026, Executive Vice-President Virkkunen confirmed that the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) requires Member States to ensure services that may impair minors’ development are made available with safeguards like age verification. The Digital Services Act (DSA) also obliges very large online platforms to assess and mitigate systemic risks, including to mental health. The Commission is currently assessing if more needs to be done for the protection of minors in the context of the ongoing evaluation of the AVMSD.
❗ Action against AI-generated harassment on platform X
In a reply published on 19.03.2026 to E-000114/2026, Executive Vice-President Virkkunen addressed the use of AI assistant Grok on X to generate non-consensual sexualised images. She confirmed the Commission initiated proceedings against X on 26 January 2026 for suspected infringements of the Digital Services Act (DSA), including failure to mitigate risks related to illegal content and gender-based violence. If a breach is found, a fine of up to 6% of worldwide turnover can be imposed. Additionally, the 2024 Directive on combating violence against women criminalises the non-consensual sharing of manipulated intimate images.
❗ Compliance of social media platform X with the Digital Services Act
In an answer published on 19.03.2026 to E-000243/2026, Executive Vice-President Virkkunen confirmed the Commission had sanctioned X under the Digital Services Act (DSA). The Commission concluded that X’s ‘blue checkmarks’ for paid ‘verified accounts’ deceived users, its advertisement repository failed transparency requirements, and it unduly restricted researchers’ access to public data. The Commission noted that X’s arguments were considered before the final decision and that X has the right to challenge the decision before the Court of Justice of the EU.
❓ Integration of EU4Health into the European Competitiveness Fund
Friedrich Pürner (NI) submitted E-000865/2026, published on 17.03.2026, regarding the proposed integration of the EU4Health programme into a new European Competitiveness Fund. The MEP raises concerns about the expanding role of private tech companies in health policy, data protection, and potential dependence on big tech. He asks which technologies will be prioritised and how the Commission will ensure democratic accountability and prevent the commodification of health, in line with Article 168(7) TFEU. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ EU Civil Protection Mechanism activation for Storm Kristin in Portugal
In a response published on 19.03.2026 to E-000430/2026, Commissioner Lahbib confirmed that the Commission’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) was in continuous contact with Portuguese authorities during Storm Kristin. Portugal activated the Copernicus Emergency Management Service for satellite mapping to support ground efforts. The Commission also used the European Flood Awareness System. However, Portugal’s national authorities did not request further assistance through the Union Civil Protection Mechanism, which is activated when a disaster exceeds national response capacities.
❓ Waiting times and healthcare transparency in Sicily
Published on 19.03.2026, E-000983/2026 from Giuseppe Antoci (The Left) highlights long healthcare waiting times, lack of transparency, and pressure on emergency services in Sicily. Citing Article 168 TFEU and Article 35 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights, the MEP asks if the Commission intends to promote comparable standards for monitoring waiting times and data transparency, and what support tools it will strengthen to help Member States reduce waiting times and staff shortages, particularly for the most vulnerable. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Ireland’s compliance with UN disability rights convention
In E-000980/2026, published on 19.03.2026, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú (Renew) asks the Commission what steps it is taking to ensure that Ireland is meeting its obligations under Article 25 (Health) of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ EU funding for organisations involved in the ‘My Voice, My Choice’ ECI
In a response published on 19.03.2026 to P-000238/26, Commissioner Lahbib addressed questions about EU funding for organisations affiliated with the European Citizens’ Initiative ‘My Voice, My Choice’. She stated that according to the ECI’s transparency register, only one listed sponsor, Zavod Raziskovalni inštitut 8. marec, is a beneficiary of EU funding. This funding is for an action grant to foster civic participation in the Western Balkans. The Commission clarified that any EU funding must be used for the specific purposes of the grant agreement and that it does not mandate beneficiaries to support particular positions in their activities.
❗ Use of a questionnaire for children under the European Child Guarantee
Replying to E-005004/2025 on 19.03.2026, Commissioner Mînzatu explained the legal basis for an online questionnaire for children, which included questions on gender and LGBTQI+ identity. She stated the survey was a voluntary tool for children to express views on poverty and social inclusion to inform the European Child Guarantee, citing Article 24 of the EU Charter on the child’s right to be heard. The survey was designed to protect anonymity, did not share personal data, and therefore did not require parental consent. It was shared via the EU Children’s Participation Platform, not directly through national school systems.
❓ Transparency of Child Guarantee funding
In E-000933/2026, published on 17.03.2026, a cross-party group of MEPs led by Niels Geuking (PPE) asks the Council for more detailed financial information on the implementation of the European Child Guarantee. They request that future biennial progress reports include actual amounts disbursed by each Member State, broken down by specific intervention type (e.g., school meals) and key service area, and ask what steps the Council will take to improve transparency and reporting on budget execution. A response from the Council is pending.
❗ Air quality limit value exceedances in Italy
In an answer published on 17.03.2026 to E-000564/2026, Commissioner Roswall confirmed that the Commission opened an infringement procedure against Italy in December 2025 for exceeding nitrogen dioxide (NO2) limit values between 2015 and 2024 in Palermo, Naples, and Caserta. The Commission found that Italy breached the Ambient Air Quality (AAQ) Directive by failing to ensure that exceedance periods were kept as short as possible. The Italian authorities’ reply from February 2026 is currently under assessment.
❗ Noise action plans for Valencia Airport
In a reply to E-000083/2026 published on 17.03.2026, Commissioner Roswall noted that while Spanish authorities adopted a noise action plan for Valencia Airport in 2024, the Commission continues to engage with Spain regarding outstanding entities where plans are still missing. The Commissioner clarified that the Environmental Noise Directive does not set binding noise targets or prescribe specific mitigation actions, giving Member States discretion. Citizens can challenge the legality of these plans before national courts.
❗ Restriction of lead in ammunition and fishing tackle
In a response published on 19.03.2026 to E-000171/2026, Executive Vice-President Séjourné explained that the proposal to restrict lead under REACH was split into two separate files (ammunition and fishing tackle) at the request of Member States to improve legal clarity and speed up adoption. He stated that transitional periods for lead gunshot were not changed, but were extended for certain bullets for hunting to address Member State concerns and balance environmental protection with socioeconomic impacts. The Commission assesses this extension will have a negligible impact on total lead emissions.
❗ Workplace safety at the Acciaierie d’Italia Taranto steelworks
Replying to E-000229/2026 on 19.03.2026, Executive Vice-President Mînzatu stated that the primary responsibility for enforcing national legislation on occupational safety and health (OSH) lies with national authorities. The Commission confirmed an ongoing infringement procedure against Italy since 2013 for failure to correctly implement the Industrial Emissions Directive at the Taranto plant, as interpreted by the CJEU in Case C-626/22. The Commission is currently assessing Italy’s replies to an additional letter of formal notice sent in May 2025.
❓ Protection of workers exposed to formaldehyde
A cross-party group of MEPs led by Marianne Vind (S&D) submitted E-000967/2026, published on 17.03.2026. Citing a documentary revealing cancer cases among young medical assistants exposed to formaldehyde and alleging industry influence on EU exposure limits, the MEPs ask if the Commission will launch a new assessment of the substance, expedite a reassessment, and how it accounts for industry lobbying when evaluating scientific evidence for exposure limits. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ EU policy on low emission zones (LEZs)
In P-001069/2026, published on 19.03.2026, several Spanish MEPs from the PPE group raise social concerns about the implementation of LEZs in Spain, given the high average age of cars. They ask the Commission to confirm that establishing LEZs is a Member State decision, not a direct EU obligation, and inquire about EU instruments or support programmes that help improve air quality without exacerbating social inequalities. A response from the Commission is pending.
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