Gerard C. Connolly
Ceist:14 Mr. Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when the Inter-Governmental Conference will be held; and whether its work will be completed by the end of 1996. [18316/95]
Written Answers. - Intergovernmental Conference.
Patrick J. Morley
Ceist:57 Mr. Morley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs whether he has had an opportunity of considering the report of the Reflection Group preparing the 1996 EU Intergovernmental Conference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17231/95]
Noel Davern
Ceist:59 Mr. Davern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the programme of work envisaged for the Reflection Group for the 1996 Inter-Governmental Conference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18324/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 14, 57 and 59 for answer together.
The Reflection Group which was set up to assist in the preparation of next year's Intergovernmental Conference adopted its report this week. The report will be considered by the European Council in Madrid on 15 and 16 December.
I very much welcome the report which represents an important input to the work of the Intergovernmental Conference. I am particularly grateful to Minister Mitchell for his work as Ireland's member of the Reflection Group.
The Reflection Group was not intended to be a forum for negotiation. Its role was to help in examining and clarifying issues and where possible to identify options for consideration by the Intergovernmental Conference itself. I believe that it has fulfilled that mandate effectively.
The range of options identified at this stage by the Reflection Group will greatly assist the Intergovernmental Conference in its work.
I am also satisfied that Irish ambitions and concerns in relation to the future development of the European Union are fully reflected in the report.
The challenges which are due to be addressed at the Intergovernmental Conference next year are important for the European Union, for the member states and for their citizens. The negotiations will, in some respects, be difficult. We will for our part approach the negotiations constructively and I have every confidence that the outcome will meet the concerns of all member states and of their citizens.
The Intergovernmental Conference is expected to open at the end of March 1996 during the Italian Presidency and to continue through the Irish Presidency. It will be a major priority of our Presidency and our aim will be to progress its work as expeditiously as possible.
The duration of the Intergovernmental Conference will be determined by a large number of factors. There remains a significant possibility that the Intergovernmental Conference will run into the Dutch Presidency in the first half of 1997. In our view, it is not the duration of the Intergovernmental Conference that is the primary concern but rather its success. The duration should result from the substance of the negotiations and not vice versa.