I will take a separate supplementary question if the Deputy wishes.
I undertook an official visit to Poland from 24 to 26 May as the latest visit in my programme of meetings with our future partners in the Union. The purpose of the visit was to strengthen bilateral political and economic relations with a country that will be shortly a member of the European Union. I believe it was highly successful in this respect.
As the House is aware, Poland is one of the larger and most advanced of the EU accession candidates for membership of the Union. My visit presented a timely opportunity to build on our already strong relations prior to its accession. I took the opportunity of the visit to indicate our strong support for Poland's accession at the earliest possible date, among the first wave of new entrants.
My visit commenced in Warsaw where I held discussions with President Kwasniewski, Prime Minister Buzek and the Speakers of the Upper and Lower Houses of Parliament. While, inevitably, the main focus of my discussions were bilateral issues and progress on Poland's accession to the Union, I also discussed a wide range of other issues including the Intergovernmental Conference, EU-Russia relations and the Ukraine.
Reflecting the growing importance of the Polish market, I was accompanied by one of our largest ever international trade missions consisting of more than 40 businesses from a wide range of sectors. Their presence underlined the fact that there is a growing interest among Irish business people in developing trade and commercial links with Poland.
In addition to my official meetings, I hosted a working breakfast for Poland's top business leaders, representatives of companies on the accompanying trade mission and local Irish businesses to discuss Ireland's recent economic performance and the further development of trade between Poland and Ireland. I also hosted a reception for the Irish community in Poland. Before returning to Dublin I travelled to CRH's plant in Ozarow to inaugurate the largest cement kiln in Europe. In addition, I inaugurated a number of projects for other Irish businesses expanding their operations in Poland.
The next European Council will take place in Santa Maria da Feira, Porto, on 19 and 20 June. No formal agenda has been circulated for the meeting as yet. The issues and how the Presidency plans to approach them will gradually become clearer as Feira approaches. Prime Minister Guterres will not conduct a tour of capitals in advance of Feira, but I will be in telephone contact with him in relation to the issues on the agenda. There are no plans at present to table a discussion paper on the issues likely to arise at Feira nor have we, as yet, received any from other Governments for the meeting.
Undoubtedly, the ongoing discussions at the Intergovernmental Conference will be a major issue on the agenda as this matter is passed to the French Presidency for conclusion. The draft charter of fundamental rights will also be discussed and the chairman of the convention, former President of Germany, Mr. Herzog, is expected to deliver an oral presentation at the summit. I also expect that follow-up to the special European Council in Lisbon, as regards the Union's development of the information society and a knowledge based economy, to feature prominently in the discussions.
While I have not spoken recently to either French President Chirac or Prime Minister Jospin in relation to the priorities for the French Presidency, I met the French Minister for Finance, Mr. Laurent Fabius, in Dublin on 11 May where we had an initial discussion of the programme for the French Presidency. Minister Fabius also met the Minister for Finance, Deputy McCreevy, while the Foreign Minister, Deputy Cowen, met the French Foreign Minister, Mr. Vedrine, on 22 May. These contacts identified some issues of which we were already aware, such as the Intergovernmental Conference, the charter of fundamental rights, ESDP and enlargement. I am also aware of the speech by Prime Minister Jospin to the National Assembly on 9 May which outlined the aims of the French Presidency as: a Europe which delivers on growth and full employment; a Europe which is closer to the people; and a stronger and more effective Europe. I support these aims and we will give every assistance to the French Presidency in achieving them.