Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 11 Dec 2003

Vol. 577 No. 1

Written Answers. - EU Presidency.

Kathleen Lynch

Question:

22 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his proposals for the planned major conference aimed at bringing the EU closer to its citizens during the Presidency of the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30486/03]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

As part of the Government's EU Presidency objective of ensuring that citizens across the EU are better informed about, and engaged in, developments in the European Union, the Government has decided to convene a conference during the Irish Presidency to consider how the EU should best be communicated to its citizens. The conference will be chaired by the Minister of State, Deputy Roche, and will convene in Wicklow on 7 and 8 April. With the accession of ten new member states on 1 May 2004, and against the background of the proposed new constitutional treaty, the Government believes that it is increasingly important that all EU citizens are well informed about developments in their Union and how it impacts on their day to day lives.

Ireland will be the first country to host such a ministerial conference. This reflects the priority that the Government accords to ensuring that the public are aware of and fully engaged in developments in the EU.

Invitations have been issued to ministers and secretaries of state for European affairs across the EU including existing, acceding and candidate states as well as to the European Commission. In addition, representatives from the European Parliament and possibly other European bodies will also be invited to participate in the conference. This reflects our broad view that all EU member states and institutions have a key role to play in informing and engaging citizens in the EU process.

An agenda for the conference is currently being drafted. Preliminary work in preparation for the conference will be undertaken in the early months of 2004 at meetings of the information working group in Brussels and at the inter-institutional group on information. The Minister of State, Deputy Roche, will also meet with Commission representatives in early January to discuss the meeting.

During the conference, ministers will meet with a representative delegation from Ireland's national forum on Europe and also with representatives of European civil society organisations to discuss how the national forum has contributed to promoting public debate in Ireland about the EU and the future of Europe.

The Minister of State will issue further information about the conference over the coming weeks.