Vol. 400 No. 2
93 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Energy, in respect of the Government-sponsored EUROPEN campaign, the action he has taken within his Department to ensure Ireland's preparedness for 1992; if, as recommended, he has appointed a person in his Department with specific responsibility for 1992; if that person has developed and promoted a programme of work/activities in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The greatest impact on Ireland after 1992 will result from the implementation of the Directives listed in the Commission's White Paper of June 1985 on completing the Internal Market. None of these however come within the direct area of my responsibility.
Following the adoption of the Single European Act, the Commission at the request of the Council compiled a list of obstacles to an internal energy market. Based on that inventory they outlined the priorities which should be addressed in order to remove the obstacles to the creation of such a market. In the light of these priorities and with the aim of achieving a Single Market the Commission made a number of proposals in the energy section.
These proposals were discussed during our Presidency and I am pleased to report that a satisfactory outcome was achieved.
An electricity Transit Directive and a Directive on Transparency of gas and electricity prices were agreed. Progress was made in advancing a gas Transit Directive and a satisfactory formula was reached on an investment proposal in the energy sector.
An officer from my Department has been nominated to take responsibility for the measures associated with 1992. This is closely linked to the ongoing general energy work programme of the Community which is carried out by a specific sector within my Department. During the discussions leading up to the Council of Energy Ministers on 21 May 1990 my Department representatives ensured that Ireland's requirements, especially those relating to the State's energy supply sectors, were satisfactorily taken into account.
94 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Social Welfare , in respect of the Government-sponsored EUROPEN campaign, the action he has taken within his Department to ensure Ireland's preparedness for 1992; if, as recommended, he has appointed a person in his Department with specific responsibility for 1992; if that person has developed and promoted a programme of work/activities in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I consider that it is of primary importance to ensure that completion of the Internal Market results in a real improvement in the living standards and levels of social protection afforded to citizens of the Community and that it does not widen the disparities that exist in this regard between different regions of the Community. All member states face similar problems in the field of social protection which include high unemployment, the ageing of the population and changes in family structures. Completion of the internal market will greatly increase the need for countries within the Community to enhance their economic competitiveness and there is the danger that in endeavouring to do so levels of social protection may be reduced in real terms.
Accordingly, a strategy for the convergence of social protection objectives and policies is being developed at Community level. The main purpose of this strategy is to promote as far as possible, convergent solutions to the common problems faced by all Member States in the area of social protection with a view to ensuring that existing levels of social protection are at least maintained in real terms and, where possible, improved having regard to economic circumstances.It will also aim to ensure that the future development of social protection systems in the member states of the community contributes to its economic and social cohesion.
An officer in the planning unit of my Department has been given specific responsibility for policy in this area. He is a member of an ad hoc group of senior officials from the various member states which officials of the EC Commission are consulting in the course of preparing proposals for appropriate measures. These proposals are due to be submitted to the Council of Ministers before the end of 1991.
95 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice, in respect of the Government-sponsored EUROPEN campaign, the action he has taken within his Department to ensure Ireland's preparedness for 1992; if, as recommended, he has appointed a person in his Department with specific responsibility for 1992; if that person has developed and promoted a programme of work/activities in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
As far as my area of responsibility is concerned the matters involved are immigration, police co-operation (TREVI) and legal co-operation within the framework of European Political Co-operation.Working groups dealing with these matters, and the group responsible for their co-ordination in the context of free movement of persons by 1993, have been chaired and serviced by officials of my Department over the past six months. The chairman of the co-ordinators group has responsibility for the Irish internal co-ordination function in that area. A programme of matters which are to be concluded so as to achieve free movement by 1993 has been drawn up and considerable progress has been made during the Irish Presidency on its implementation.
