Vol. 572 No. 2
194 Mr. O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government the priorities of his Department in respect of Ireland's Presidency of the EU in 2004; if his attention has been drawn to the interest being generated by these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22647/03]
Priorities in my area of responsibility are being developed in the context of Ireland's programme for the Presidency which will be finalised after the European Council in December. While it is too early to be specific, my overall priority will be to contribute to the national objective of an effective, efficient and strong Presidency. The Council of Environment Ministers is responsible for: advancing the EU's internal environmental policy and legislative programmes; preparing the environmental input to the spring European Council's annual review of the Lisbon strategy; and ensuring effective participation by the Community in wider international environmental fora.
During the first half of 2004 I will give priority to important EU policy and legislative proposals in the areas of air and water quality, climate change, waste management, chemicals and nature conservation, as well as preparations for EU participation in major international events including the conference of the parties to the convention on biological diversity and the meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety which will be held in Malaysia in February.
I am aware of the public interest in Ireland's Presidency programme. Appropriate events, including an informal meeting of the Council of Environment Ministers, will be held here during the Presidency next year.
