Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 June 2004
116 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the way in which Ireland’s Presidency of the EU can assist in the article 228 enforcement action brought on 4 March 2004 by the EU Commission against the Italian Republic for discrimination against foreign teaching staff in defiance of a Court of Justice ruling of 26 June 2001 in a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16773/04]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the Government has expressed its concern at the discrimination experienced by foreign teaching staff in Italian universities and has made representations to this effect to the Italian authorities. The Government is continuing to monitor this issue closely and will undertake further representations as appropriate. Article 228 enforcement actions are a matter for the European Commission and the member state concerned. The Presidency of the Council, as such, does not have a role in this regard.
Ireland, as Presidency of the Council, has sought in general to advance the issue of labour mobility, with the aim of improving opportunities for workers taking up employment in other EU member states. To this end, the Irish Presidency secured political agreement in Council on the mutual recognition of professional qualifications and europass dossiers, both of which are intended to facilitate the recognition of educational and professional qualifications throughout the EU. It also finalised the reform of regulation 1408 which makes it easier for EU residents to access social security entitlements in other EU member states.
