Vol. 462 No. 1
64 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether he met Commissioner Pádraig Flynn in November 1995, to discuss Ireland's forthcoming Presidency of the EU; if so, the nature and extent of their discussions with particular reference to the implications for the Social Welfare portfolio; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1222/96]
I can confirm that I met EU Commissioner for Social Affairs Pádraig Flynn on 23 November last. The purpose of the meeting was indeed, as suggested by the Deputy, to advance planning for those aspects of the Irish Presidency of the EU which relate to my Department and to ensure the necessary degree of co-ordination between the Commission and my Department.
In a reply to a question from Deputy Ned O'Keeffe on 14 November, shortly before this meeting, I had outlined the programme of Council meetings and conferences which I was proposing to hold during our Presidency, together with the issues to which I was seeking to give priority attention. Following my meeting with the Commissioner and subsequent discussions at official level with the Commission and with the Italian Presidency, the plans I outlined then remain unchanged but have been firmed up in several respects. For example, I referred in November to the Commission's communication on "The Future of Social Protection" and my wish to have a debate among my fellow social security Ministers on this document. It is my intention that the Informal Social Affairs Council Meeting, to be held in Dublin Castle on 10-11 July next will be devoted to one of the topics raised in the communication, namely the positive role of social protection in the fight against unemployment.
