Gay Mitchell
Question:1 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he has taken in relation to commercial funding of Ireland's EU Presidency in 2004. [26943/03]
Ceisteanna – Questions. Priority Questions. - EU Presidency.
Conscious of the success of the sponsorship arrangements in recent Presidencies, and the fact that this has very much become the norm, the Government took the view that the Presidency offers a valuable and important opportunity for Irish business to promote what is best about Ireland, in particular in the economic, trade and tourism areas.
The main role of the Presidency is to advance the agenda of the European Union but it is has also always been the case that the Presidency of the day takes the opportunity to promote its country widely. It would be remiss of the Government if we did not maximise the exposure Ireland will gain from hosting the Presidency, which may well be the last of its kind. I also believe that sponsorship will help develop a wider ownership in, and involvement with, the Presidency.
We have, in particular, modelled our approach on that applied by the very successful Danish Presidency by inviting offers of sponsorship from companies. All sponsorship will be in the form of goods and services – no cash sponsorship will be considered.
There are a number of categories that particularly lend themselves to a sponsorship arrangement, such as transportation, catering, the provision of IT and telecommunications equipment and gifts in general. Similar categories have been sponsored during previous Presidencies. In this context, my Department contacted the various umbrella groups for business in Ireland such as the Irish Business and Employers Confederation, the Chambers of Commerce of Ireland, the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation, the Irish Hotel Federation and the Society of the Irish Motor Industry to outline the sponsorship possibilities.
We are encouraged by the number of companies who have expressed interest in sponsorship and negotiations with these parties are ongoing. Prior to entering into a contract, all offers for sponsorship are being presented to the interdepartmental Presidency planning group, which will then decide on the appropriate sponsorship arrangements.
I am confident that, when complete, not only will the costs of hosting the Presidency be reduced but there will be a framework in place which will maximise the exposure of Irish products to a wider European and international audience. This can only be of real benefit to the country.
What guidelines have been put in place to ensure that somebody's brother-in-law – this question is not aimed at the Minister or anybody in particular – is offered a sponsorship because he knows somebody? Are the criteria for assessing the offering of such sponsorship laid down? Are we sure we will keep to the right side of the line by ensuring that the symbols and independent sovereignty of the State are not interfered with by commercial operations gaining advantage over other commercial operations in this way? What guidelines are in place to deal with this?
Will the Minister confirm that transparency will apply in this process and that information will be available to the Oireachtas on who applied to provide sponsorship, on the information contained in their applications and on the guidelines they were given when they made their applications?
Is it intended to exclude from this process certain categories of businesses, such as those who sell alcoholic products and manufacture and sell cigarettes? What guidelines exist for this process and has the Minister laid a copy of them in the Oireachtas Library?
I want to make it clear that the purpose of this idea is to enhance the Presidency. There is no question of this being different from what has happened during previous Presidencies. All expressions of interest in sponsoring the Presidency are vetted by the interdepartmental group comprising officials of the Departments who are of high calibre and hold a high office.
The areas to be covered by such agreements are logistical. They will not impact on the main decisions that have to be taken during the six months of the Presidency. Sponsorship has been a common feature of recent Presidencies. My officials have spoken to officials from earlier Presidencies and there was no question of any conflicts of interest. If there was a risk of such, the interdepartmental group and the Cabinet committee would not enter into a commitment with the company concerned.
I want to explode the unfortunate myth that sometimes arises concerning such an initiative. Sponsorship is a common feature of recent Presidencies. I urge the Deputy to check the websites for the Danish, Greek and Italian Presidencies to note the calibre of companies that sponsored those Presidencies. Hosting the Presidency costs money and sponsorship will allow the Exchequer to defray some of those costs.
The cost, however, is not the main reason we are seeking sponsorship. Sponsorship will allow Irish companies and companies with Irish interests to get positive exposure to an audience with whom they may not normally have the chance to interact. It will also enhance Ireland's reputation as a place to visit or to do business. All sponsorship applications are carefully vetted. There is no question of sponsorship arrangements affecting the conduct of the Presidency or affecting Ireland's approach to policy issues domestically or in Brussels.
There are no decisions taken on this matter. I have indicated the reputable umbrella organisations that were contacted. Applications are being considered. Later this month when the group comes to make decisions, I will make that information available to the House and I have no problem ensuring that the transparency that people require will apply. I want to make it clear that the idea is to enhance the situation not to detract from it.
The Minister did not answer my question concerning the acceptance of sponsorship from the manufacturers of alcoholic products. Can he confirm that we will not have anything such as the Budweiser Derby, the Budweiser European Council or the Tullamore Dew Ministers shindig? What will happen in terms of the various dinners that will be held? I presume we will not allow companies to sponsor alcohol for such meals and related events.
They will wear the sweat shirt.
There is no need for people to be like that. It is unfortunate that people take a negative view of this. I can assure this House that this will be in line with other successful Presidencies that have been held in other countries in recent times. There was some limited sponsorship during our last Presidency. People need to be fully aware that no decisions have been taken. An interdepartmental group is examining this situation. This is about enhancing the quality and image of the country. When decisions are taken and notified to the public and to the House, I believe people will be happy with the arrangements.