Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 14 Oct 2003

Vol. 572 No. 3

Written Answers. - EU Presidency.

Charlie O'Connor

Question:

169 Mr. O'Connor asked the Taoiseach the priorities of his Department in respect of Ireland's Presidency of the European Union in 2004; if his attention has been drawn to the interest being generated by these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22854/03]

The Taoiseach

Ireland's sixth Presidency of the European Union commences on 1 January next year and as on all previous occasions, an overriding priority for my Department and all Departments will be the effective and efficient conduct of the EU's business.

Ireland will have the honour of welcoming the ten new member states into the European Union on 1 May 2004. One of the key challenges for our Presidency will be to ensure a successful transition from a Union of 15 to one of 25. My Department will work closely with all Government Departments to achieve this.

One of Ireland's key priorities during our Presidency will be to give additional impetus to the ten-year reform goal set out at Lisbon in March 2000. The primary forum for discussion of the Lisbon agenda is the spring European Coun cil. The three central pillars of the Lisbon agenda – economic, social and environmental – impact on a number of Departments. Priorities for the spring European Council are being advanced at present and will be guided by developments over the coming months.

On the external relations front, the European Union and all like-minded countries face unprecedented challenges. I look forward to continued and deepening dialogue in the search for mutual solutions to the many difficult issues confronting us on the world stage today.

I am aware that there is growing national interest in Ireland's forthcoming Presidency of the European Union. The Department of Foreign Affairs is working to ensure that the public will be kept appraised of developments in the lead up to and during our Presidency.