The preparation of the programme of work for my Department in the context of Ireland's Presidency of the European Union in the first half of 2004 is well advanced. However, it will not be finalised until December following the completion of the work of the current Italian Presidency in the policy areas relevant to my Department. The draft programme is also the subject of ongoing consultations with relevant parties in the EU institutions and among our partners at EU level with whom Ireland is required to develop annual and multi-annual operating programmes before the end of this year.
The Lisbon agenda of economic, social and environmental renewal of the EU will be a key overarching priority for the Irish Presidency. Progress on the achievement of the agenda and measures to give renewed impetus to advancing economic reform, enhancing competitiveness and stimulating employment in Europe will be the focus of the spring European Council on 25 to 26 March 2004. The priorities of the Irish Presidency in this area are being developed in tandem with the preparation of the overall programme of work for the Presidency.
During the Presidency, I will chair two formal meetings of the Competitiveness Council of Ministers, which are scheduled to take place in Brussels on 11 March and 17 to 18 May 2004. Particular stress will be laid by Ireland on the need for the Competitiveness Council to focus on its horizontal remit in line with the Seville European Council in June 2002 and the Presidency conclusions of the 2003 spring summit. It is important that there is attention at the highest political level on issues affecting the competitiveness of enterprise and I see the role of the Competitiveness Council as central to achieving this. The council will also discuss a range of issues coming under its direct remit in areas such as enterprise, research and innovation policies and the completion and effective operation of the internal market, particularly with regard to the services sector. Specific dossiers on issues relating to intellectual property, competition, company law and consumer policy are likely to feature on the agenda, but it is too soon to say with certainty what the precise status of the issues will be when Ireland assumes the Presidency next January. In addition to these two formal councils, I will also chair an informal meeting of Competitiveness Council Ministers in April 2004. This meeting will take place in County Clare.