Dutch share of EU fines totals €550m
Monday 25 May 2009
The Netherlands share of the €11bn in unfair competition fines levied by European commissioner Neelie Kroes amounts to €550m, the Telegraaf reported at the weekend.
'It is not my money, but taxpayers,' Kroes told the paper in an interview.
In total, Kroes has handed out fines of €11bn since 2004, of which the biggest - €1.1bn - went to Intel earlier this month.
Of that, 5% goes to the Netherlands, which contributes 5% of the EU budget.
Finance minister Wouter Bos told a tv programme on Sunday he may use the cash to reduce overspending on the health budget.
Kroes also said in the interview she would like to extend her period in office past next year. However, insiders say it is unlikely that she will be able to stay in the job.
© DutchNews.nl
Readers' comments
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Since this windfall belongs to the taxpayer I believe we are intitled to an overview and accounting of how and where this money is spent.
By Bryan | May 25, 2009 4:05 PM