Vol. 472 No. 5
5 Mr. N. Treacy asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the proposals, if any, he has or intends to put forward on behalf of Ireland, during its Presidency of the EU; the progress, if any, on each aspect of these proposals to date; his goals under the Presidency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23620/96]
The Deputy will be aware that the priorities for the Irish Presidency in respect of all sectors, including transport, energy and communications, were published at the commencement of the Irish Presidency and are available in the Dáil Library. While no specific proposals were put forward on behalf of Ireland by my Department, a number of proposals, at EU level, were put forward during the Irish Presidency which impact on the citizens of the European Union as a whole in the areas of transport, energy and communications.
In regard to transport proposals, the Irish Presidency sought to focus on the development of a more efficient, competitive, safe, environmentally friendly and customer orientated European transport system. In this context, the Presidency is pursuing the development of an action plan in response to the European Commission's White Paper for revitalising the Community's railways. We also seek to promote the orderly development of relations in the transport sector with third countries. In the aviation sector, it is expected that the Council of Transport Ministers on 12 December next will arrive at some conclusions as to the way forward for air traffic management in Europe, and that a common position will be achieved on the draft regulation on air carrier liability in case of accidents. There are also significant developments in regard to relations with third countries such as central and eastern European countries and on a possible EU-US common aviation area.
In the energy sector, the Irish Presidency had three priorities — the draft directive concerning common rules for the internal market in natural gas, an EU strategy for renewable energy and the energy dimension of climate change. At the Energy Council on 3 December agreement was reached on Council conclusions on natural gas. These conclusions reflect the considerable progress made during the Irish Presidency on this issue within a very short time, including the drafting of a Presidency compromise proposal, and give guidance as to how the issue will be progressed by the incoming Netherlands Presidency. On renewable energy, the Irish Presidency put considerable pressure on the Commission to produce an EU strategy on renewables. The optimum exploitation of Europe's renewable energy resources can happen only within the framework of a clear and supportive strategy that will vigorously promote renewables. I am pleased that, as a result of our efforts, the Commission presented to Council a Green Paper on an EU strategy for renewables. This was generally supported by member states as an important development. The Commission will now consult widely within the EU on the paper before preparing a detailed strategy. On the question of climate change, the Presidency took an initiative to highlight the important role which energy has to play in the context of CO 2 objectives after the year 2000, and the negotiations currently under way for a legally binding Protocol on climate change. This was an important initiative in that it placed the climate change issue on the agenda of EU Energy Ministers and highlighted the special contribution they can make in encouraging appropriate response strategies that will underpin and help deliver future climate change objectives.
As regards communications, the priority for the Irish Presidency has been to achieve the maximum progress on the package of legislative proposals put forward by the Commission to ensure the development of a transparent, regulatory framework to promote effective competition in a liberalised telecommunications market and to introduce the first step towards liberalisation of the postal sector. Ireland's Presidency did of course necessitate the development of compromise proposals particularly in the postal area with a view to reaching agreement within the Council. Progress has been achieved through the adoption of common positions on a draft Directive relating to a harmonised licensing framework for telecommunications, a draft decision on satellite personal communications services and a revision of the open network provision framework and leased lines directives. The Irish Presidency also achieved political orientation on some of the main principles of a draft directive relating to the provision of harmonised voice telephony services and universal service throughout the European Union and has clearly identified political positions of member states on the difficult questions of the first step towards liberalisation of the postal sector. I am sure the Deputy will agree that is an excellent record of achievement for the Presidency.
Ar an gcéad dul síos ba mhaith liom chomhgairdeas ó chroí a ghabháil don Teachta Dukes teasc é a bheith toghfa mar Aire Iompair, Fuinneamh agus Cumarsáide. Tá sé tuilte go hiomlán aige agus chugaim rath Dé ar a obair sa Roinn sin.
It is obvious from the Minister's reply that we have not taken an initiative on transport, energy and communications during the Presidency. We are basically managing proposals put forward by EU bureaucrats. Having regard to our geographic location, the expertise available in the Irish Aviation Authority and our accident free record, we could have made a major contribution to aviation matters. We also missed an opportunity to ensure an equal delivery of energy services to all parts of the country. On the communication side——
We must proceed by way of question.
I am trying to ascertain how the new Minister proposes to effect change for this country during the Presidency. On the communications side, can he assure us the draconian measures put forward by Germany, which have been opposed by France and others, will not have a detrimental effect on the delivery of postal and other communications services in rural areas?
I am sorry the Deputy finds the record of achievement unsatisfactory. I am pleased he is taking part in discussions on these matters. It signals a change of mind on his part because when we debated the Irish Presidency on 26 June he did not consider it worth his while to participate.
That debate was guillotined.
The draft postal directive requires a great deal more work. One of its central features is its definition of "universal service" and its intention is to provide for a door to door delivery service, five days per week. It will also provide for a density of contact points adequate to the needs of users. It is expected to measure up to one of the qualities which most of us believe is essential for a postal service, to which the Deputy correctly adverted.
I take great exception to the Minister stating I was not prepared to participate in the debate on the Presidency. I was available to participate in that debate, but was not afforded an opportunity to do so because of a time limit. As a Member who had to go to the back benches and was not always afforded an opportunity to participate in debates, the Minister should understand that it is not always possible to participate in debates. That was an ungracious remark from him in his first week in office. Despite that, I wish him well in office and, for the sake of the country, I hope he is successful.
As the Minister referred to density of population for the delivery of postal services, he appears to be talking about a semi-urban environment for the delivery of an equitable service. Can he assure the House, on behalf of the Government which holds the EU Presidency, that there will not be a diminution of postal services to the people of rural Ireland?
I appreciate the Deputy's understanding of a backbencher's position. I can imagine how Deputy Treacy was elbowed out in that debate by three other backbenchers from his party.
The Minister would know all about elbowing.
Irrespective of my optimism, I do not expect the postal directive to be completed before the end of our Presidency. However, as it proceeds through the Council, I will endeavour to ensure it provides for a postal service appropriate to the needs of this country.
From the Minister's perusal of the files and consultation with officials, can he indicate whether collaboration has been initiated with our neighbours in the North and in the UK to ensure an adequate electricity supply for the future? What discussions have taken place on an interconnector to provide an equal level of service in all parts of the country? Has account been taken of our island position?
That is a separate matter. An electricity interconnector between here and Northern Ireland is not a matter for the Presidency.
The EU Presidency provides the Government with an excellent opportunity to ensure all parts of the country receive an equal level of service. Can the Minister point to any proposal put forward by Ireland that will confer any benefit on us?
In the original answer I spent some time reading a list of the activities——
That is what Europe proposed.
—— in which we were involved that are matters of benefit to the European Union as a whole and also to this country.
