The Committee, chaired by Mrs Nicole FONTAINE and by Mr Hervé de CHARETTE for the Council, was unable to reach agreement on the common position on the Directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to lifts. In spite of the progress made on all of the other points, it had proved impossible to reach a compromise due to the different opinions on the wording of the text on disabled people’s access to lifts. Points agreed. The Council agreed that a recital could refer to the Commission’s recommendation, which sought to draw the attention of the Member States to the essential safety requirements for existing lifts by highlighting the sensitive issues but allowing Member States to draw up a timetable for implementing adequate measures. On behalf of the Commission, Mr Padraig FLYNN stated that this recommendation would be adopted before the final vote on the Directive. With regard to the committee procedure, both parties agreed that a recital should make reference to the ‘modus vivendi’ already adopted in other conciliation procedures. The EP highlighted the need for cars to be equipped with a two-way means of communication allowing permanent contact in case of the lift breaking down. The Council accepted this principle; the text should therefore indicate that ‘cars must be fitted with two-way means of communication allowing permanent contact with a rescue service’. Points not agreed. The Council’s common position stipulates that cars should be designed and constructed for disabled people only where the lifts are designed for such a purpose. The EP wanted all lifts, where technically possible, to be accessible to disabled people, particularly those confined to wheelchairs. Although some progress was made, the two delegations were unable to agree on a joint text.