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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 Jun 1996

Vol. 467 No. 5

Written Answers. - EU Presidency.

Kathleen Lynch

Question:

35 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the councils that he and the Ministers of State at his Department will be chairing during Ireland's forthcoming Presidency of the EU; the priorities, if any, he and his Ministers of State have in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13637/96]

I will be chairing the Industry Council. My main priority will be to see to it that European action to improve the competitiveness of industry will be pursued on several fronts. I will ask industry ministers to take stock of the subject on the basis of the Commission's First Report on Competitiveness of European Industry. I intend to pursue initiatives such as the development of a bench-marking programme designed to monitor competitiveness policies in member states and the results of those policies.

Another priority will be the problems of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) which play a key role in jobcreation; it is my intention to complete work on two important programmes in favour of SME's and in so doing to press for appropriate provisions on the role and needs of very small enterprises. Third, I believe that the effective adaptation of European business to the information society is vital for its future competitiveness. Given the pervasive influence of modern information technology, a response at the level of the European Union is essential. The issues posed are many and complex. I will pursue industry-related aspects of the information society in the industry council.

My colleague, Deputy Rabbitte, Minister of State with responsibility for commerce, science and technology, will be chairing the Research Council. The main priorities of this council will be the mid term review of the fourth framework programme of activities in the field of research and technological development and the establishment of the foundation work for the fifth action programme. Research Ministers will also prepare the ground for the adoption of an action programme on innovation. Another important aspect is enhancing the participation of SME's in the European Union's research and technology activities. Research Ministers will also advance the discussion on the Commission's Green Paper on Innovation.
The Minister of State with responsibility for commerce, science and technology will also chair a meeting of the Consumer Affairs Council where the priorities include advancing as far as possible Commission proposals for new European Union legislation in the matter of access to justice; consumer credit; after sales service and guarantees. The protection of consumers in the information society is an important emerging theme which will also be addressed.
The main item of the Social Affairs Council, to be chaired by Deputy Eithne Fitzgerald, Minister of State, with responsibility for labour affairs is the preparation of a major report to the Dublin European Council, based on member states multi-annual employment programmes, deepening the strategy decided by the European Council at Essen and focusing on long-term unemployment, youth employment and women.
Other priorities are to conclude the work on the directive concerning the posting of workers in the framework of the provision of services; a directive on carcinegens; a new directive on burden of proof in cases of discrimination based on sex.
We will advance Commission proposals for the revision of EU legislation on equal treatment between men and women as regards occupational social security schemes and positive action.
The Social Affairs Council will also examine the manner in which social protection systems can contribute positively to the fight against unemployment. In addition, it will explore other facets of that debate including how to meet more fully the requirements of women and the lessons that can be learned from various new approaches being developed throughout the member states. In the context of these exchanges, Ireland will seek to explore with member states how the important problem of social exclusion can best be tackled. Many of these are of course the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Social Welfare, Deputy De Rossa and the Minister for Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Taylor.
The Deputy will see that the work programme of the Department of Enterprise and Employment during the Presidency covers a broad spectrum of policy areas spanning the four Councils listed above and including also issues which are the responsibility of other Ministers. The programme has been designed to give prominence to issues of employment, competitiveness, small and medium sized enterprises and the information society and myself and my colleagues the Ministers of State with responsibility for commerce, science and technology and for labour affairs will be co-ordinating our work across the various Councils to ensure that effective progress is achieved in these areas.
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