I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 to 16, inclusive, together.
I expect to meet President Aznar at the Barcelona European Council next month where we will discuss how to advance the process begun at Lisbon to make Europe the most dynamic, competitive, knowledge-based economy in the world by 2010, with full employment and increased social cohesion. I understand that President Aznar will do the usual tour of capitals in advance of the June European Council to be held in Seville.
The agenda for Barcelona has yet to be confirmed. However, Spain has set five priorities for the Barcelona European Council. These are the financial markets action plan; labour market mobility and the reform of the labour market; life-long education; energy liberalisation and telecommunications. The Government considered this issue before Christmas and it is clear that Ireland's priorities are strongly in line with the Spanish Presidency. At Barcelona, we will be aiming to give added impetus to the work for sustained economic growth, with increased sustainable employment opportunities and greater social cohesion. We will also be calling for tight deadlines to make the financial services internal market a reality, as this will make access to capital cheaper, give pension funds more scope for investment and profit and boost our financial services sector. We will also raise the issue of consumer protection in this sector.
To date, the European Union's employment strategies have significantly contributed to reducing unemployment. At Barcelona, however, we will be calling for further advances, with increased emphasis on making firms and employees more adaptable in the face of a rapidly changing business world. To remain competitive, companies must ensure that they and their workforces remain flexible and appropriately skilled so that they are capable of meeting changing work requirements and responding to both labour shortages and bottlenecks. In-company training will be crucial in this regard and life-long education has been highlighted as critical. Life-long education is of course a central part of our domestic policies. Ongoing and detailed consideration is being given to other issues that can be progressed at Barcelona.
I have no current plans to meet the President of the European Parliament, Mr. Pat Cox. However, I had the opportunity to speak to him on the phone after his election as President and was delighted to be able to congratulate him on what is an outstanding achievement both for him personally and for this country. The success of Pat Cox demonstrates that the smaller nations can have a key role to play in the institutions of Europe and that Ireland is playing its part to the full in building and developing the European Union. Pat Cox's success and other recent high-level appointments of Irish officials in the EU Commission shows that Ireland punches far above its weight on the European stage.
While I have no plans at present to meet the President of the European Commission, Mr. Romano Prodi, I will of course meet him at the Barcelona and Seville European Councils. I have not met any of the European heads of state since the Laeken European Council in December last. With regard to the questions tabled on the Laeken European Council, I refer the Deputies to my statement to the House on 30 January last.