Since the entry into force of the Single European Act, the pace of decision making by the Council on the Community's internal market programme has accelerated considerably.
At the end of February last, 145 of the 279 proposals currently contained in the programme had been fully adopted. This, together with partial adoptions and proposals on which common positions had been adopted, represents agreement of approximately 55 per cent of the programme.
While this progress is satisfactory, the Community cannot afford to become complacent. The Irish Presidency, for its part, is determined to maintain the momentum built up in recent years and to bring the Community closer to the reality of a Single Market without internal frontiers. Indeed, at the informal Internal Market Council being held in Ireland on 24 March 1990 we have scheduled for discussion the fifth review on the implementation of measures necessary to achieve the Single Market. This report will be fully examined with a view to providing whatever further impetus is desirable to the pace of progress.