Vol. 490 No. 7
84 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will report on the Government's conduct with regard to the negotiations on the Multilateral Agreement on Investment. [11161/98]
The Multilateral Agreement on Investment, known as the MAI, is being nogotiated under the auspices of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development — the OECD — in Paris. It is intended to be a free-standing international treaty open to all countries willing and able to meet its obligations.
The Government's position on the MAI negotiations was set out in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 158 on 21 April 1998.
On 27-28 April 1998, OECD Ministers decided on a period of assessment and further consultation between the negotiating parties and with interested parts of their societies. The next meeting of the negotiating group will be held in October 1998.
In the meantime my Department will continue its consultation with interested parties in Ireland.
