Andrew Boylan
Question:65 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the work carried out by the Communicating Europe Task Force in 1999; the number of meetings it held in 1999; and the plans it has for 2000. [4294/00]
Written Answers. - Communicating Europe Task Force.
The Communicating Europe Task Force work programme for 1999 included support for the research and development of a CD-ROM on the structures and functions of the European Union for distribution to secondary schools; support for information programmes undertaken by the European Parliament Office in Dublin and the European movement related to the European elections; support for Europe Week, a weekly news feed on EU issues provided to Irish local radio stations; and support for training courses on EU issues organised by the European Movement and by the Irish Countrywomen's Association.
The task force met on six occasions during 1999: 1 February, 30 March, 15 July, 13 October, 12 November and 1 December. Expenditure by the task force amounted to IR£100,036 in 1999.
At its first meeting of 2000, the task force agreed its strategy for the year's work. Raising the profile of European issues in the current affairs arena was the key goal. Projects supported by the task forces should reach a mass audience, and the material or outcome should be readily understood by an audience with little familiarity with European matters. Projects should have some element of added value, should have a measurable impact and be relatively modest in scale.
Ongoing commitments carried forward into 2000 include the CD-ROM project for schools, and support for the Europe week radio news feed, and the Eurolink provincial newspaper column. The task force has a budget of IR£113,000 for 2000.