Gay Mitchell
Question:13 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the plans, if any, his Department has made to involve both parts of the island in a common approach to the challenges posed by Agenda 2000. [18121/97]
Other Questions. - Agenda 2000.
Ruairí Quinn
Question:18 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department has completed its analysis of the document Agenda 2000 which was published by the European Commission in July 1997; whether the Government accepts the conclusions of that document; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15713/97]
Willie Penrose
Question:35 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the nature of the recent discussions, if any, he has had with his EU counterparts about the European Commission's Agenda 2000 proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18103/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 13, 18 and 35 together.
The Government has carefully examined the Agenda 2000 proposals tabled by the Commission in July which will be subject to lengthy negotiations. Detailed proposals have yet to be presented on many aspects of the dossier. My predecessor indicated in a reply to a parliamentary question on 30 September the main elements of the Government's initial approach to the proposals which I will outline.
Ireland is committed to the process of further enlargement but it will, like other member states, seek to protect and promote its interests and to ensure that the consequences of enlargement apply in a balanced way to existing member states. The financial framework proposed by the Commission for the period 2000 to 2006 is based on an annual ceiling for Community resources of 1.27 per cent of Community GNP. The adequacy of this amount remains to be examined in detail in the Council of Ministers.
Regarding the proposals on the CAP, the Government accepts that European agriculture should become more competitive on world markets and be developed on a sound, stable and sustainable basis. However, it must be done in a way which fully protects the interests of farmers and rural communities. In particular, any reductions in market support must be adequately compensated.
As far as the Structural and Cohesion Funds are concerned, the Government's aim will be to maximise Ireland's receipts in the next funding round. Any transitional arrangements for Ireland must be adequate in terms of the level and timeframe of funding to address our continuing significant development needs. Subject to these considerations, the Government regards the Commission's Agenda 2000 proposals as representing a clear coherent framework for addressing the challenges which Europe faces in the years ahead.
With regard to cross-Border aspects, the Anglo-Irish Conference provides a forum in which matters involving North-South co-operation, including those relating to the European Union, can be discussed. While a specific date and agenda have yet to be agreed, there are proposals to discuss EU related issues at an early Anglo-Irish conference. In addition, there is ongoing co-operation between the Department of Finance in the South and the Department of Finance and Personnel in the North on the use of Structural Funds in both parts of Ireland. The General Affairs Council has been given overall responsibility for the Agenda 2000 negotiations and it is discussed at each of its meetings. Most recently, at the informal meeting of the Council in Luxembourg on 25 and 26 October, I indicated our key concerns and stressed in particular the importance of continuity to the Community's cohesion effort in each member state and region. Aspects of the Agenda 2000 dossier are discussed also at the ECOFIN and Agriculture Councils.
I and my colleagues will continue to press Ireland's concerns. In addition, I have contact with my colleagues on a bilateral basis and Agenda 2000 figures prominently in such discussions. I met my Spanish colleague in Madrid on 13 October and I received the British Foreign Secretary, Mr. Robin Cook, here yesterday. Given the central role that the UK will play in the negotiations during the first half of next year, the latter meeting was particularly useful and fruitful.
The EU proposes that a GNP budget maximum of 1.27 per cent be observed, and it is likely that guidelines will suggest restricting transfers to both member and applicant States to a maximum of 4 per cent of GNP. There are also challenges arising out of the next period of enlargement. Does the Minister agree with the view expressed by IBEC that as Northern Ireland is also likely to lose its Objective 1 status, there are solid reasons for the Government and political partners on both sides of the Border to work together and devise a common approach to challenges posed by Agenda 2000? If he agrees, can he indicate the steps the Government has taken to advance this matter?
This question might be more appropriate for one of the Ministers with an economic portfolio. The concerns expressed in the IBEC statement relating to North and South are being addressed and will continue to be addressed.
Bearing in mind that the Framework document envisages co-operation on EU matters and that bodies such as IBEC advocate such co-operation, is the Minister for Foreign Affairs and not just the economic Ministers, raising this issue in the context of the strand III talks?
Yes. These matters will be raised in the strand III talks. I will be discussing matters with the British tomorrow in the context of the Intergovernmental Conference, and if the opportunity arises to address this point then I will do so.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.