I 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.