Item No. 1.16, COM (2006) 175, is a proposal for a decision concerning the acceptance on behalf of the European Community of the protocol amending the WTO agreement on trade related aspects of intellectual property rights. This proposal was presented by the Commission in April 2006. The procedure for the acceptance of the WTO measure continues to be the subject of some discussion at the relevant committee. The issue is whether member states make the decision individually or acting through the European Community. The decision would permit WTO members to export patented medicines to third countries with no manufacturing capacity in the pharmaceutical sector by making use of licences. It is proposed that the proposal does not currently warrant further scrutiny but that the Department has been requested to keep the committee informed of developments in respect of the adoption procedure. It is also proposed that the proposed measure be forwarded for information to the Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business and the Joint Committee on Health and Children. Is that agreed? Agreed.
COM (2006) 117 is an amended proposal for decisions concerning the seventh framework programme for research, FP7, of the European Community, 2007-13. The committee has previously considered a number of proposals relating to the seventh framework programme and referred them for further scrutiny. The proposed programme is hugely significant for the future direction of research in the European Union.
The committee has previously highlighted a number of concerns in the following areas: universities' access to funding; the funding of certain nuclear energy projects, as well as possible ethical issues, for example, concerning the type of projects that might be funded. This amended proposal follows agreement on the next financial perspective and would see related research being allocated a budget of €53 billion. The proposed measure also contains amendments by the European Parliament that have been accepted by the Commission. The Department has indicated in its note that, "Ireland is satisfied with the structure, content and budgetary allocations of the amended programme". The proposed measure is to be discussed by the Council again on 24 July. This is a complex proposal, the adoption of which will have a long term impact on research for the period 2007 to 2013. It is proposed that the proposals also be referred for further scrutiny by the Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business and for information to the Joint Committee on Environment and Local Government and the Joint Committee on Education and Science. Is that agreed? Agreed.
There are no Title IV measures to be considered. On CFSP measures, items 3.1 to 3.4, inclusive, item No. 3.1, CFSP (2006) 418, refers to Council joint action on the support for IAEA activities in the areas of nuclear security and verification and in the framework of the implementation of the European Union strategy against proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. In concrete terms the European Union under this measure would provide financial assistance for four IAEA projects that aim to assist states in strengthening the physical protection of nuclear materials; assist states in strengthening the security of radioactive materials; strengthen states' capabilities for detection and response to illicit trafficking; assist states in the drafting of related necessary legislation. It is proposed to note the measure. Is that agreed? Agreed.
Item No. 3.2, CFSP (2006) 419, is a Council joint action in support of the implementation of the United States Security Council Resolution 1540/2004 and in the framework of implementation of the EU strategy relating to the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. It is proposed to note this measure. Is that agreed? Agreed.
Item No. 3.3, CFSP (2006) 439, is a Council joint action regarding a future contribution of the European Union to the conflict settlement process in Georgia-South Ossetia. It is proposed to note this measure. Is that agreed? Agreed.
Item No. 3.4, CFSP (2006) 468,is a Council joint action renewing and revising the mandate of the special representative of the European Union for Sudan. It is proposed to note this measure. Is that agreed? Agreed.
There are no proposals proposed for deferral. Items Nos. 5.1 to 5.29, inclusive, require no further scrutiny. These are proposals for decisions concerning the signature, provisional application and conclusion of the Euro-Mediterranean aviation agreement between the European Community and the Kingdom of Morocco. The stated objective of this agreement that seeks to build on the aims of the Euro-Mediterranean agreement to integrate the relevant transport markets is the "seamless integration of the Moroccan air transport market into the single European market". This objective would be achieved through: regulatory convergence; targeted technical assistance; and the highest possible degree of market opening. The Department in its note is optimistic that the adoption of the measures would see "greater opportunities for Irish airlines". It is proposed that the proposals do not warrant further scrutiny. It is also proposed that the proposals be forwarded for information to the Joint Committee on Transport in the context of the possible positive implications for the development of air links between Morocco and Ireland. Is that agreed? Agreed.
COM (2006) 262 is a proposal for an amended directive on the stands for two-wheel motor vehicles. It is proposed that the proposal does not warrant further scrutiny. Is that agreed? Agreed.
COM (2006) 265 is an amended proposal for a directive on hand-holds on two-wheel motor vehicles. It is proposed that the proposal does not warrant further scrutiny. Is that agreed? Agreed.
COM (2006) 271 is a proposal for a regulation introducing, on the accession of Bulgaria and Romania, special temporary measures for recruitment of officials of the European Communities. As members will have seen from the documentation circulated, similar arrangements to those proposed here were put in place in advance of the accession of the ten new member states in May 2004. It is proposed that the proposal does not warrant further scrutiny. Is that agreed?