Noel Davern
Ceist:49 Mr. Davern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement regarding the planning and strategy for the Irish presidency of the EU. [1384/95]
Written Answers. - Irish Presidency of EU.
Planning for the Irish Presidency of the European Union, which will take place during the second half of 1996, is already well underway.
The main obligation on any presidency is to ensure an efficient and effective approach to the discharge of the Union's business. Ireland has a good record in this respect in the conduct of past presidencies. Our next presidency will face a number of new challenges which will have to be taken into account in the planning process. These include those changes arising out of the Treaty on European Union, in particular the need to take account of the enhanced role of the European Parliament, and the increase in membership of the Union with the accession of Austria. Finland and Sweden.
The responsibilities of the presidency will include, on the practical side, chairing the European Council and the Council of Minister meetings, and acting as host to a number of informal councils, which will be held in Ireland. The presidency will also have the responsibility of reporting to the European Parliament, as well as appearing at hearings of parliamentary committees and taking part in debates. In addition, Ministers or Ministers of State, will be called upon to co-chair meetings of the Conciliation Committees of the Parliament (convened when disagreements on legislative proposals arise between the Council and Parliament). We will also be required to chair the Intergovernmental Conference, which is likely to be convened before our Presidency. During the six months period Ireland will also act as spokesman and co-ordinate the position of the European Union in international fora such as the United Nations and its agencies, the World Trade Organisations, the OECD, etc.
While it is too early to predict the issues that will dominate our Presidency in 1996, the issues facing the European Union, and likely to provide at least part of the framework for our Presidency, can be broadly identified. These are; the Intergovernmental Conference due to start in 1996 and likely to be in place for the duration of our Presidency. This will deal with revision to the Treaty where provided for, including the provisions relating to the Common Foreign and Security Policy and relations with the European Parliament. Once the Intergovernmental Conference is convened other items can be added to the agenda; intensified multilateral surveillance and the decision on the move to the third stage of Economic and Monetary Union which must be taken no later than 31 December, 1996; immigration, organised crime, and drug and fissionable material smuggling seem likely to remain dominant issues on the justice and home affairs agenda; the further development of relations with the Union neighbours in Cental and Eastern and Southern Europe and in the Mediterranean region with a view to accession.
An Interdepartmental Co-ordinating Committee for the Presidency, under the aegis of the European Co-ordination Committee, commenced work in July 1994. This committee is identifying the responsibilities to be assumed, the issues likely to form the agenda and the practical and organisational matters which need to be addressed in order to carry out the tasks which have to be undertaken during the six-month period. The committee will provide regular progress reports to the Government.