Damien English
Question:66 Mr. English asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps being taken to progress the Lisbon Agenda nationally and at European level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30038/04]
View answerWednesday, 24 November 2004
Questions (89)
Written answers
The Government attaches priority to implementing the range of sectoral actions and targets which make up the Lisbon Agenda. The Lisbon Agenda covers a wide range of matters which fall within the responsibility of individual Departments. The Department of the Taoiseach has overall responsibility for co-ordinating Ireland's approach. The Government ensures ongoing consultation with the social partners to build consensus on the approach required for effective implementation of the Lisbon Agenda. This is in line with the commitment secured from all member states at the spring European Council during our Presidency to build partnerships for reform involving the social partners.
At European level, the focus is on preparing for the mid-term review of the Lisbon Agenda at the European Council in March next year. During our Presidency, the European Council asked the European Commission to establish a high-level group, chaired by Mr. Wim Kok, the former Netherlands Prime Minister, to prepare an independent assessment of progress to date on the Lisbon Agenda and to make recommendations for future action. The group presented its report on 3 November and its recommendations were discussed by the European Council on 4 and 5 November. It was agreed that the Commission should have regard to the report and to the views of member states when preparing proposals for the mid-term review. The General Affairs and External Relations Council, drawing on the work of a number of other Council formations, will have responsibility for preparing discussions on the mid-term review at the European Council next March.
In the context of the mid-term review, Ireland has already made a national submission setting out our experience in this area as well as a number of recommendations for future action. The March European Council will be critical in giving renewed impetus to the Lisbon Agenda.
Question No. 67 answered with QuestionNo. 24.
Question No. 68 answered with QuestionNo. 32.
Question No. 69 answered with QuestionNo. 14.