Vol. 536 No. 4
56 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the discussions he has had with his EU colleagues with the objective of improving economic growth prospects within the Union; the way in which these proposals compare with action being taken by other economies worldwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14326/01]
At the European Council in Lisbon in March last year, the EU set itself a new strategic goal for the next ten years of becoming the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social inclusion.
The Government has been responding to the Lisbon Strategy in a number of ways at both national and EU levels and I would refer the Deputy to an answer I gave on this subject on 1 May 2001, Parliamentary Question No. 262, a copy of which I will supply to the Deputy.
Regarding the Deputy's question of how European economic policies compare with those in other countries throughout the world, the economic strategies being followed in Europe, just like those in the US and Japan have to be tailored to the particular economic needs of the country or region in question. What might be an appropriate policy mix in Europe might be totally inappropriate in Japan, for example.
