Ruairí Quinn
Question:17 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Communications if he will outline his programme of activities in the context of the Irish Presidency of the EC; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EC Presidency.
My main objective during the Irish Presidency will be to advance the twin policies of standardisation of networks and liberalisation of services thus leading to the creation of a single European telecommunications network. I propose to hold a meeting of the Council of Ministers dealing with telecommunications during the Presidency and while the agenda for that meeting will depend to a large extent on the progress of dossiers through the institutions of the Community I would hope to have discussions on, inter alia a draft directive on the approximation of the laws of the member states concerning telecommunications terminal equipment including mutual recognition of their conformity, and on a draft directive and recommendation on digital European cordless telecommunications. In addition I anticipate a discussion on telecommunications aspects of the Community's relations with Central and Eastern Europe and a discussion on the progress of work on the preparation of a Green Paper on European postal services.
I expect that the question of trans-European service networks in telecommunications will also come before the Council for consideration.
Will the Minister indicate when the meeting will take place?
It was intended to hold the meeting about the middle of April but it looks as if it will take place at the beginning of June.