Enda Kenny
Question:1 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the recent European Council meeting in Copenhagen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27068/02]
Ceisteanna – Questions (Resumed). - Official Engagements.
Enda Kenny
Question:2 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach if the arrangements for his forthcoming visit to the Czech Republic have been finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27082/02]
Enda Kenny
Question:3 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach if the arrangements for his forthcoming visit to Portugal have been finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27083/02]
Enda Kenny
Question:4 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach the number of meetings planned by the National Forum on Europe during 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27084/02]
Enda Kenny
Question:5 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach the foreign visits he plans undertaking during 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27102/02]
Enda Kenny
Question:6 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach when he will next meet the President of the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27103/02]
Joe Higgins
Question:7 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the matters discussed and conclusions reached at the December 2002 EU Summit in Copenhagen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27107/02]
Enda Kenny
Question:8 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach if a date has been fixed for the visit here by the President of the Convention on the Future of Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27156/02]
Enda Kenny
Question:9 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent visit to Mexico; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1202/03]
Enda Kenny
Question:10 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting with the President of Mexico; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1203/03]
Pat Rabbitte
Question:11 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Copenhagen Summit. [1229/03]
Pat Rabbitte
Question:12 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach his plans to meet the Greek Prime Minister to discuss Greek priorities for the EU Presidency in the first six months of 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1230/03]
Pat Rabbitte
Question:13 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach the official visits abroad he plans to make in the first six months of 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1231/03]
Pat Rabbitte
Question:14 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on his recent visit to Mexico. [1242/03]
Pat Rabbitte
Question:15 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach the matters discussed and conclusions reached during his discussions with President Vicente Fox during his recent official visit to Mexico. [1243/03]
Trevor Sargent
Question:16 Mr. Sargent asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent official visit to Mexico and his talks with the Mexican President, Mr. Vicente Fox; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1280/03]
Trevor Sargent
Question:17 Mr. Sargent asked the Taoiseach the outcome of the December 2002 EU Summit in Copenhagen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1282/03]
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:18 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his visit to Mexico. [1510/03]
Joe Higgins
Question:19 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with the President of Mexico, Vicente Fox; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1695/03]
Joe Higgins
Question:20 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his visit to Mexico; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1696/03]
Joe Higgins
Question:21 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Taoiseach the official visits abroad he plans to make during the current Dáil session; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1704/03]
Enda Kenny
Question:99 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach the total cost of his recent visit to Mexico; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1204/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 21, inclusive, and Question No. 99 together.
In relation to the European Council meeting in Copenhagen in December 2002, I refer Deputies to my statement in the House on 17 December, reported in Volume 559, No. 5, of the Official Report. I also refer Deputies to my reply to parliamentary questions on 18 December, reported in Volume 559, No. 6, of the Official Report.
I visited Mexico from 13 to 17 January, 2003, repaying the visit to Ireland last November of its President, Mr. Vicente Fox. A business delegation involving 25 Irish companies was organised by Enterprise Ireland in association with my visit. During my meetings with the President, discussion of a wide range of issues took place including consideration of the bilateral relationship, culture, human rights issues and preparations for the summit meeting to be held during the Irish Presidency between EU and Latin American countries. The President and I will co-chair the summit which will be held in Mexico city.
Throughout the visit, particular emphasis in our discussions was placed on trade issues. Mexico is now Ireland's largest trading partner in Latin America with the annual combined volume amounting to approximately €800 million. I was received at the House of Deputies by the Permanent Commission, a cross-party group representative of both Houses. Our discussions focused on economic co-operation and the forthcoming changes in the European Union. I also had the opportunity to meet privately with the leadership of the two main political parties.
The principal event of the economic programme was a well attended business breakfast, hosted by Enterprise Ireland. In my address to the breakfast I stressed the opportunities for Mexican firms through investment in Ireland or co-operation with Irish companies. It also facilitated Irish companies in establishing contacts with selected potential business partners in Mexico. Software and language education enterprises were strongly represented. I had the opportunity to meet with several Irish companies of different sizes that have successfully established themselves in Mexico city and the state of Guanajuato. In addition, I met with senior executives of Bancomext to discuss the potential for Mexican investment in and trade with Ireland. Bancomext, the counterpart of Enterprise Ireland, advised me of the strong Mexican interest in Ireland evidenced by the participation of over 300 firms in a recent seminar it organised.
I was delighted to meet with many friends of Ireland at a reception hosted in honour of my visit at the ambassador's residence. Although I cannot list now the many guests from all sectors, I would especially mention that I met a cross- section of the large Mexican team which will participate in the Special Olympics in June of this year. I have a strong commitment to developing the excellent relationship that Ireland enjoys with Mexico. We have much in common in our cultures and traditions and there is great scope for our businesses to work together in a complementary way. Mexico and Ireland will work together to be of mutual assistance in market access for the European Union and Latin America.
The cost arising to my Department from the visit has not yet been finalised. Costs to date amount to €8,892. A number of travel and subsistence claims relating to the visit remain to be submitted. In addition, outstanding invoices in respect of hotel accommodation and other costs, will be forwarded to my Department by the Department of Foreign Affairs in due course.
With regard to my plans for official visits abroad in the first half of 2003, I will visit the Czech Republic on 30 and 31 January. The visit will coincide with a trade mission organised by Enterprise Ireland. I will be accompanied by the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with responsibility for trade, Deputy Michael Ahern. As part of the official programme, I will attend a working lunch hosted by the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Mr. Vladimir Spidla. The principal topics of conversation will centre on the accession of the Czech Republic to the European Union and the ongoing work of the Convention on the Future of Europe. In the afternoon, I will have the pleasure of meeting the outgoing President of the Czech Republic, Mr. Vaclav Havel. The evening will be taken up with business related events and media interviews. On Friday morning, following a call on the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament, I will return directly to Dublin. Minister of State, Deputy Ahern, will remain on for an extra day to attend further business events.
On 6 February I will visit Lisbon and will meet Prime Minister Barrosa to discuss issues of mutual concern regarding both European Union and international matters. In accordance with established practice, I expect to undertake a visit to Washington for Saint Patrick's Day. On 20 March, I will travel to Brussels to attend the social summit along with the current Greek and future Italian Presidency. The spring European Council, which will also take place in Brussels, will follow the social summit on 21 and 22 March. On 3 April, I will visit Berlin for a meeting with Chancellor Schröder and Brussels for a meeting with Prime Minister Verhofstadt of Belgium. I am scheduled to attend the EU-Africa summit in Lisbon on 5 April. On 16 April, I will travel to Athens for the signature of the treaties of accession for those countries due to become full members of the European Union on 1 May 2004. On 30 May, I am due to travel to St. Petersberg for the EU-Russia summit and on 19 June I will travel to Thessolonika for the Greek Presidency European Council meeting.
The President of the Convention on the Future of Europe, Mr. Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, will visit Dublin on 26 March. His visit will provide a useful opportunity to discuss the progress being made by the convention, including the recently presented preliminary draft constitutional treaty. The first meeting this year of the National Forum on Europe took place on 14 January and a further meeting took place on 23 January. Six further meetings are scheduled for the period to March. The focus of these meetings will be the ongoing debate on the future of Europe including the work of the Convention on the Future of Europe, currently sitting in Brussels. Two of the meetings will be plenary sessions in Dublin Castle while the other four will be regional public meetings.
Although there are no plans for a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Simitis, I expect that we will be in contact as needs arise during the Greek Presidency. I had a meeting with Prime Minister Simitis at the European Council meeting in Brussels in October last and I expect to meet him next March and again during his tour of European capitals prior to the June Council in Thessolonika. I have ongoing contacts with the President of the European Commission, both at European Council and as required. The need for a bilateral meeting is kept under constant review.
The grouping of 21 questions by the Taoiseach is ridiculous. Questions relevant to European Union matters should be grouped together separate from questions relating to visits to Mexico. There is to be another European Union Intergovernmental Conference out of which will emerge a further treaty of even greater importance than the Nice treaty. In view of this, how does the Taoiseach propose to keep an open and continuous dialogue with the electorate to ensure it is as properly and fully informed as possible when the times comes for it to decide on the treaty?
I fully support the repeated claims for extra resources for the Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Affairs and the National Forum on Europe. The forum's budget has been cut by 65%, which means that only three meetings can be held outside Dublin. How does the Taoiseach propose to properly resource the facilities for the convention and the next Intergovernmental Conference to ensure that their deliberations are properly presented to and debated by the electorate so that it can as fully as possible understand the issues involved? I am sure the House would not quibble with allocating the necessary resources. Will the Taoiseach act accordingly?
I agree with Deputy Kenny on this issue which can be addressed in a number of ways. The Forum on Europe will hold at least eight meetings, at plenary and regional level, before Easter. The cost of holding regional meetings is worth it in terms of the benefit they bring. Last year they proved to be very effective and we should continue with them.
The Oireachtas will have to provide its own resources, including staff, to ensure the proper functioning of its relevant committees. I appreciate the valuable work undertaken by Oireachtas Members in this area, including at the Convention on the Future of Europe. This issue was raised with me previously and I have allocated to those working on the convention dedicated staff, including research staff and access to legal staff. Additional staff resources have also been allocated to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Affairs. Requests for further resources are under consideration.
We are also seeking to increase the number of meetings on European affairs to be addressed by Ministers. Since the start of the year three or four such meetings have been addressed by Ministers and it is my intention to continue with this process. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Minister for Agriculture and Food and I have already addressed large meetings where we have presented and explained the issues addressed by the convention. There has also been greater involvement by the media in this process.
I hope we continue to attract to the Forum on Europe people of interest who are involved in the convention, including Oireachtas Members and others who can advise on the up to date position at the convention. When the convention reaches the drafting stage of a new constitution the public will become more interested, in addition to the specialists who are already closely involved. It is in our interests to keep this issue in the public domain.
I appreciate the enormous work done by the Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Affairs, Deputy Gay Mitchell, and others and I hope matters will be quickly addressed as they arise. In this regard, the Department of Foreign Affairs is dealing with issues that arise on a weekly basis. This means we can keep up to date with progress. We have resolved most of the staffing difficulties although a few problems need to be resolved.
I thank the Taoiseach for his reply and his interest in ensuring that resources are provided to ensure that dialogue in this area is opened up to the wider public. The President of the Convention on the Future of Europe, Mr. Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, is due to visit Dublin on 26 March. Will the Taoiseach consider asking him to address the House as president of the convention in which capacity he has already addressed the French National Assembly? The Taoiseach might give consideration to that.
What is the Taoiseach's view with regard to Turkey? Was he disappointed with the outcome of the Copenhagen Summit which agreed that there should be a date for examination of whether Turkey had complied with the requirements for entry to the European Union, as distinct from a date for accession to negotiations?
I do not wish to know whether the petrol cap fell off the jet in Mexico but it was a source of embarrassment to the country and the Taoiseach for him to be at the end of the red carpet and to have a no-show with regard to take off. On a more serious matter, arising from his observations on his Mexican visit—
If Deputy Treacy had been around, he could have given the Taoiseach a lift.
If Deputy Treacy had pulled back the lever he would have got there, but he was going to an important debate in the Dáil and he sits in the back. In respect of the Taoiseach's observation that the cost of a hit of cocaine has now dropped to 30 cent, is he concerned about the possibility of cocaine importation to this country from Mexico by drug barons? Has he brought his concerns to the attention of his fellow prime ministers in Europe; has he issued instructions that security be tightened; and does he propose to issue further resources to drug enforcement agencies and the Garda to attempt to prevent that?
I know that Deputy Kenny raised the issue of Mr. Giscard d'Estaing and I have tried to arrange some forum for that to happen. Under the rules, the Dáil is not the appropriate way of doing this.
We will never have this opportunity again.
It might be possible in the forum. I am prepared to look at this. The rules have been set down for many years and I can understand the reasoning behind them. I am in favour of Mr. Giscard d'Estaing giving an extensive address and am sure he would welcome that.
This is the place.
With regard to Turkey, I am satisfied with the outcome of the summit. Deputy Kenny knows that some people interpreted it to mean that Turkey will definitely get a decision next time but that is not what was decided. It is very much up to Turkey how it progresses, particularly on the human rights issues that confront it. As I have said, the tactics adopted at the European Council backfired on Turkey and it will have to understand that it is not a question of pressure but of complying with the rules that everybody else has to live by. That will be a useful exercise and, as far as I can see, Turkey seems to have accepted that fully. It is now a question of whether the new Administration will implement, as it has stated, domestic human rights measures and deal with outstanding issues regarding Cyprus. We will see what happens in that regard.
A report was published concerning what was happening on the streets of Mexico with regard to cocaine, and it was a topical issue. There has been a dramatic drop in the price of cocaine and the security arrangements in the UK were very clear when I arrived back in London. There is concern there due to fears that cocaine is coming on flights directly from Mexico, and that this is having an effect on the price of cocaine in the United Kingdom. Obviously, that will have a knock-on effect and I have brought that to the attention of everyone concerned here. It is feared that this problem is coming from Mexico and Colombia. This is creating a security problem in Mexico, particularly Mexico City.
In areas of Mexico, including Chiapas, the indigenous people still have serious issues with the Mexican Government in terms of institutionalised poverty and violations of civil rights, as have other sections of the Mexican people. Did the Taoiseach meet any of the organisations representing indigenous peoples or civil rights groups? Did he discuss their concerns and raise those concerns with President Fox?
St. Patrick's Day is only seven weeks away. The Taoiseach has announced his intention of visiting Washington and, presumably, of being the guest of President Bush. The United States may at that time be engaged in a war in Iraq without the sanction of the United Nations Security Council, although just because Russia and China – great violators of the human rights of their own peoples – give approval for a war does not make it right. Leaving that aside, in the event of the United States and Britain going it alone, will the Taoiseach cancel his visit to Washington in protest?
With regard to Mexico and civil rights issues, I agree with Deputy Higgins that many areas of the country have seen abuses. I met some of the political leaders and representatives in Parliament of the indigenous population and those who help fight their causes. A group also came to see me. My understanding is that President Fox is anxious, and is endeavouring to the best of his ability, to implement reforms – this is not just from what he said but from what others told me. However, he is meeting substantial resistance.
Mexico has a presidential system where Mr. Fox is President and head of the Administration. He does not have control in Parliament and, as I quickly learned, there is still in Mexico an old regime and people in the system from previous times who are against reform. These people are working to thwart the President and this is very much the issue of concern for the summer elections, in which the President is involved. He is endeavouring to implement reforms and has done a substantial amount. However, from what I heard from other political leaders, members of the media, and human and civil rights advocates, he is unlikely to get the necessary reforms through unless there are changes in Parliament. It is a major issue.
In so far as it is progressing, the reform programme is fine but I do not want to give the House the idea that the present reforms will work fully. President Fox made it clear to me that he has not got support for many of the reforms he is trying to bring in to help the indigenous population or to stop some of the human rights abuses. As the Deputy knows, there are many security difficulties in Mexico and within the security forces, which are not totally controlled by the Administration. Strange as it seems, that is the reality of the situation.
With regard to my proposed visit to Washington, I will make no change in the arrangements until I see what ultimately happens at the Security Council.
Short of the jet breaking down, I presume the Taoiseach will be going. As a matter of no great significance, but for the record, has the Cabinet decided to purchase or lease a new jet?
Does the recent conversion of the Minister for Foreign Affairs to the importance of the convention mean that the Government is now resigned to whatever comes out of that convention being endorsed by the Intergovernmental Conference without significant change? Will the Taoiseach confirm that preparations are under way for the Irish Presidency and can he indicate any priorities in that area? In particular, is it intended that there will be an accession ceremony in Dublin Castle for the ten applicant states?
There is no new decision since last year when the Minister for Defence was asked to look at the various options in preparation for the Presidency, That report is awaited. There is no further decision on the question of the jet. I will say no more about it.
Regarding the intergovernmental conference, I do not think Deputy Rabbitte is saying the Minister was not interested. Since last February the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Minister have put an enormous amount of effort into the Intergovernmental Conference, as have all the members. The Minister does not attend those sessions himself but there are five Foreign Ministers on the conference. Deputy Rabbitte will have seen the objections to people attending the European Parliament for only a short period and that is a contentious matter. The arrangements that have been made and the effort that has been put into this matter are immense.
As time moves on it looks more likely that the Intergovernmental Conference will probably get a final document. That is certainly the intention of the chair and of the member countries. The Intergovernmental Conference is both the political and legal mechanism for dealing with the convention. Therefore, no matter how much work the convention does matters will still have to be put to the Intergovernmental Conference. At present, it is the intention that the Intergovernmental Conference will be a short one. That is not agreed by everybody. There are other elections and other votes. Principally, the Swedish Prime Minister is very anxious not to move into the Intergovernmental Conference prior to Sweden's vote on the currency in September or October, so that discussion will be in June. I suspect that Mr. Giscard d'Estaing will be almost finished his work at the June European Council meeting but we will not know this for certain until Mr. Giscard comes here. The question then is when it will go to the Intergovernmental Conference. It is well known that Prime Minister Berlusconi is anxious to receive the Convention report quickly and to move quickly to a further treaty of Rome. That is his stated position but it is not clear if that will happen.
We have been working on the Presidency for some months and I believe a ceremony will be organised. A number of discussions are going on regarding what will happen on the May weekend. No decision has been made on that yet but active discussions have been going on since the start of the year.
At this stage I begin to take up the agenda from the Troika meeting in two months time at the Social Affairs Council meeting. I am anxious to tidy the arrangements around the spring session to try to have social issues discussed at that spring session so that it is not just an economic discussion. The full social agenda of Europe, which can get sidelined at European Council meetings, should move in as part of the plan for Europe to become the strongest and most innovative economy in the world by 2010. I have started discussions and I will formally join the Troika for March in order to start driving that agenda. I have made my views known on this matter. Otherwise I fear that the other European Councils will centre around justice and home affairs and international issues and that the social issues will be pressed off the agenda. That is an issue I am anxious to pursue during the Irish Presidency.
Regarding the historic enlargement of the EU to 25 states, I understand from what the Taoiseach has said that the Government supports the concept of referendums in all the EU member states on an EU constitution. A conference in Sweden last November considered the possibility of a Europe-wide referendum on the outcome of the Convention on Europe. This concept was also promoted at the convention by my colleague, Deputy Gormley. Has the Government considered that matter and will it be given the active support of the Government internationally?
In relation to the Copenhagen summit and the agreement to take over the NATO military mission in the former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia, will Ireland participate in this mission? If so, what moneys will Ireland contribute to the mission? Am I right in thinking that the EU budget cannot be used for such a military operation and that the cost must be borne by member states? Will the mission be UN mandated?
It will be a matter for every member state to decide on its own referendum process. I do not think there will be a change from that. Deputy Gormley has raised these issues and Deputy Sargent has seen the replies of Germany and other member states that they have their own referendum processes which they will maintain. We may regard these processes as limited but that is their legal position. In many countries unless the competencies of the European Union were to be extended dramatically – in Germany, for example, if the Lander were being reconstructed by something Europe was trying to do – there would not be grounds for a referendum. That is not likely to happen.
Deputy Sargent should raise his second question with the Minister for Foreign Affairs. This question came up in the foreign affairs section of the European Council. The Deputy is correct regarding the budgetary aspect of the matter. However, I was not party to those discussions and I would not like to give Deputy Sargent wrong information.
Does the Taoiseach know if Irish money is to be used?
I cannot say that.
During his recent visit to Mexico the Taoiseach placed significant emphasis on increasing trade between Mexico and Ireland. Any increase in trade between our two countries that would be beneficial to the people of both countries is something we would all welcome. Is the Taoiseach aware of the aquiladora industry in Mexico where multi-national corporations are allowed to employ Mexican workers in low wage sweatshop conditions, specifically in the area adjacent to the US border where special supports are in place in order to attract such industry? Given that health and safety standards in these jobs are questionable and that concern about them has been expressed in Mexico itself, will the Taoiseach ensure that trade with Mexico will be based on ethically approved working conditions and that imports to Ireland will not be of goods produced by exploitative employment practices?
I heard the Taoiseach's earlier response regarding indigenous peoples in Mexico. In speaking with President Fox did he raise the current peace process in the Chiapas region and the need for justice and peace for the indigenous people of that area?
On the issue of working conditions, nobody would want to see us doing business on the backs of people who have been badly treated. I was not made aware of that. I want to follow the ILO conventions the same as everybody else. Workers in Mexico are paid low wages and the minimum wage per week is $8. A good industrial worker would receive $10,000 per year, while a top class technical person or experienced person would probably get $30,000. The salaries are low. So far as hardships or discrimination against people is concerned, we would not condone that in any way. The Irish companies there are noted for paying their workers better and providing better facilities for them than most of the traditional industries. They set their own example. When I visited the parliament, both Government and Opposition Deputies were appreciative and aware of the Irish companies and had been invited to and engaged with Irish companies in their regions. Our track record on any exports or imports holds up.
To reply to Deputy Ó Caoláin, I did not go into any particular region. I had been briefed in advance by civil rights and human rights groups here and spoke on those issues as I said earlier. Just to reiterate, in my discussions with Mr. Fox last autumn and my discussions with him this time, he is determined to do all he can to help individuals and the indigenous populations in every way possible. That was part of his electoral platform. He has already been credited for having done much in this area. However, he accepts that he needs to get reform packages through which, for one reason or another, he has not been able to do. I think Deputy Ó Caoláin asked me a third question.
No, it was in relation to this area. I accept what the Taoiseach has indicated and I thank him.
May I ask the Taoiseach a few more questions arising from his long replies? The EU-Latin American summit is to be chaired by Mexico in 2004 during Ireland's Presidency of the European Union. Given that it is obvious that South America, as an economic entity, holds massive potential in terms of trade and given Ireland's strengthening special relationship with Mexico, are there any specific proposals to avail of that opportunity to bring further trade delegations to South America in general or to countries close to Mexico? Having had the privilege of bringing a number of trade delegations to countries outside the European Union, they pay enormous dividends. Is the Government activity promoting that in the context of the serious competitive nature of Irish business and the difficulties Irish business faces in terms of exports, fluctuations of currency and labour costs in other countries and so on? Has the Government a pro-active programme for international trade missions?
Can the Taoiseach confirm if there will be a referendum following the next Intergovernmental Conference and, if so, what is the timescale? We discussed this matter previously. Prime Minister Berlusconi wanted it at the end of his Presidency but that is not possible. Is there a more up-to-date view as to when it might be necessary to ask the people to vote on the outcome of that Intergovernmental Conference?
To reply to the Deputy's first question, because Mexico is part of NAFTA, which is an enormous bloc, business people clearly see a special relationship with the United States and the other countries in the region and recognise there are very good opportunities for them. Many small Irish companies as well as the big Irish companies such as Smurfit, Kerry, Vision and Altech employ an enormous number of people. There are many small service, education, technical and software companies involved and they see enormous opportunities. Bancomext sees it the other way round, it sees a means of trading into Europe. Mr. Fox, who is of Irish descent and proud of it, is doing all he can through the system to encourage trade into Europe. He spent some time visiting many European countries and will be back in the Netherlands and Germany next week.
Mexico has centred much of the administration around a bloc of about 300 million people. Therefore, trade delegations are beneficial and we are trying as much as possible with Enterprise Ireland to build up trade delegations, to make them useful and meaningful because they are time consuming. They are costly to the individual companies but as the Deputy has said there is a different attitude to how trade delegations work in other countries. If one is coming to this country with a trade delegation one would probably be suspicious but abroad the opposite happens, everyone opens every door. That is how it operates in a different culture. Perhaps we should change to theirs in 20 or 30 years' time.
There is no real decision on the referendum yet. It would be difficult to see a convention completed without a referendum. As far as a timescale is concerned, it is a long way off.
We are running out of time. I will hear the three Deputies offering and a final reply from the Taoiseach.
Has any consideration been given by the heads of government at EU level under the current Presidency to meet to consider the Iraqi situation and would the Taoiseach consider requesting that such a meeting take place so that a common position could be worked out at EU level?
I wish to raise two issues. The Joint Committee on European Affairs and its sub-committee have taken to the boards running which I hope will have some impact when it comes to the referendum in due course. Does the Taoiseach see any merit in the suggestion, which the committee and the forum backed, to run a European week each year? Would he see merit in the Government, through the Minister for Foreign Affairs or the Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs, the forum and the European affairs committee getting together to try to organise such a week? Would the Taoiseach consider attending at the committee, per haps twice a year, in advance of the main EU summits? I know the Taoiseach has a huge workload and I do not wish to add to it but when the time comes for the referendum and putting the case to the people, the more we can show that we have been proactive in doing the business of the European Union, the more we would have the opportunity to be successful.
When I asked earlier about the Copenhagen Summit I wanted to know if the Taoiseach was aware if any Irish money is to be used in the EU mission in regard to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. I am not sure if the Taoiseach is aware of that but perhaps he will find out; I thought he would be aware as he is interested in fiscal matters. In relation to the visit to Mexico I am pleased to hear he raised the problem of cheap cocaine supplies coming from Mexico and flooding into Europe. Has any plan of action been agreed with Mexico to address that problem and, if so, what is it?
On the Iraqi situation, the matter is being dealt with at European level by the General Affairs Council. There is almost daily contact according to the briefs I am receiving. I am not sure when the next meeting will take place. It will not be at heads of state level but at European foreign Ministers level. There will certainly be a meeting and the Minister will refer to that this evening. On the European affairs issue, as Deputy Mitchell is aware I have attended meetings previously and I am prepared to be helpful in every way.
As regards the Mexican situation and drugs, there is obviously co-operation at European level, particularly with the United Kingdom, because of the access. There is huge oversupply in Columbia, Brazil, Mexico and Peru. I am not sure why it has happened this year more than in any other year. It was a big issue when I was in Mexico and I spoke to some of the security people with me. The concern is that those involved will look for more lucrative markets in Europe. It is being dealt with at European level. I made people aware that since December, it has been highlighted through the European justice and home affairs areas. It is a big problem. Apparently, there is also a considerable amount of drugs coming into Europe from other areas. It will be a problem in the year ahead and I am sure the Deputy has seen some of the reports about the price of cocaine on the streets being significantly reduced. Apparently, this is the reason. The real issue is whether we will be able to thwart the main gangs behind this trade – international gangs across the world – which have not been thwarted for some years and have been building up this trade. As far as I know, there was no money but I will clarify it for the Deputy.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.