Written Answers. - Official Engagements.
Nora Owen
Question:
33
Mrs. Owen
asked the
Taoiseach
further to Parliamentary Question No. 12 of 28 March 2000, the nature of his detailed discussion with the Ireland-America Economic Advisory Board about the European MediaLab Initiative; the actions, if any, he promised to undertake on his return relating to this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[9728/00]
As I said in my answer to Question No. 12 of 28 March 2000, at the meeting of the Ireland-America Economic Advisory Board we had a detailed discussion on developments in the Irish economy. This included presentations on e-commerce developments in Ireland and the related European MediaLab Initiative. This project, which will be developed in partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is expected to contribute to improving Ireland's e-commerce capability, not least by increasing research and development activity in this area. The members of the board seemed to feel that this was an important and worthwhile initiative.
I did not promise to undertake any actions relating to this project on my return to Ireland.
Nora Owen
Question:
34
Mrs. Owen
asked the
Taoiseach
the plans, if any, he has to attend the Millennium Summit organised by the United Nations in September 2000: if he has received an agenda for this event; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[10422/00]
Nora Owen
Question:
35
Mrs. Owen
asked the
Taoiseach
the communication, if any, he has had with the new Japanese Prime Minister, Mr. Yoshiro Mori; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[10558/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 35 together.
Last August, I accepted an invitation from the UN Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, to attend the United Nations Millennium Summit which is currently set to take place in New York on 6-8 September next. In my letter accepting Secretary-General Annan's invitation, I indicated my hope that the outcome of the summit might be a serious and realistic programme to renew, revitalise and strengthen the UN for a new era.
On 15 March 2000, the General Assembly decided that the summit's overall theme will be "The Role of the United Nations in the Twenty-First Century". It also decided that the summit will be composed of plenary meetings and of four interactive round-table sessions. The themes for discussion at the round-table sessions have yet to be decided by the member states in New York. They will form the agenda for our discussions at the summit.
The Secretary-General presented his report for the Millennium Summit to the General Assembly on Monday 3 April. The report entitled "We the Peoples: The Role of the United Nations in the 21st Century" is intended to facilitate preparations by member states for the forthcoming Millennium Summit. It identifies some of the pressing challenges faced by the world's population and proposes a number of immediate priorities for consideration at the summit itself. Heads of State and Government are urged to take action in areas such as poverty, water, debt relief, education, HIV-AIDS, slum clearance, youth employment and information technology. The Secretary-General also urges the summit to make special provision for the needs of Africa, and to fully support Africans in their struggle to overcome the continent's problems. In addition, the Secretary-General calls for a renewed focus on conflict prevention and disarmament and on respect for international law. The adoption of a new ethic of conservation and stewardship of the environment is also identified as a priority. In my view, the report offers a broad and challenging agenda for consideration in the lead-up to, and during the summit. The Government will work to ensure the success of the summit.
On 6 April, I wrote to the new Japanese Prime Minister, Mr. Yoshiro Mori congratulating him on his appointment and wishing him well for the future. I also took the opportunity to express the sympathy of the Irish people for Mr. Obuchi's illness and our hopes for his recovery. I have also written to the Greek Prime Minister, Mr Simitis, congratulating him on his re-election on Sunday.
