Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2004
143 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Finance the position of the Government in regard to the legal case being taken by the European Commission on the failure of the European Council to properly implement the Stability and Growth Pact. [4796/04]
View answer159 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Finance the steps he intends to take as President of the EU Council of Ministers to seek a resolution of the dispute between the Commission and the Council of Ministers regarding the application of the Stability and Growth Pact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4755/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 143 and 159 together.
On 28 January 2004, the European Commission initiated a case before the European Court of Justice on certain issues relating to the application of the Stability and Growth Pact by the Economic and Financial Affairs Council, ECOFIN, at its meeting on 25 November 2003.
The legal issues involved will be adjudicated upon by the court and, in my capacity as President of the Council of Ministers, I have no direct role or function in the matter. As the matter is before the court, it would not be appropriate for me to make any further comment until the case is decided.
