Ray Burke
Question:75 Mr. R. Burke asked the Minister for the Environment the manner in which he will utilise the Irish Presidency of the EU to contribute to the environment as a global issue. [11120/96]
Written Answers. - Irish Presidency of the EU.
It is the objective of the Irish Presidency actively and efficiently to promote both the internal agenda of the Environment Council and a leading EU role in wider international business affecting the environment and sustainable development. Details of the Irish Presidency Programme were formally published in early July by the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs. In the environment area, this programme includes the review of the Community's Fifth Environment Action Programme and draft directives in the areas of water quality, genetically modified micro-organisms and vehicle emissions. Waste management was the theme of the Informal Environment Council in Dublin in July, and is also the subject of a Commission communication to be addressed by Council.
The Irish Presidency is also leading and co-ordinating a strong EU input to a number of important international activities concerned with global environmental issues. In July, I participated in the Second Conference of the Parties to the Framework Convention on Climate Change and assisted in the agreement of an important political declaration aimed at intensifying the Berlin Mandate process. With the Environment Commissioner, I have also held discussions with Ministers of the Associated Countries of Central and Eastern Europe regarding the approximation of their environmental laws and standards to EU norms. Other international meetings to take place during the Irish Presidency include the Third Conference of Parties to the Biodiversity Convention and the Eighth Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. Overall, it is our intention to ensure that the role of the European Union is maintained as a leading force for progress at international level in dealing with global environmental problems and the promotion of sustainable development.