The Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment all participated on behalf of the Government, in yesterday's Dáil statement on the Special European Council on Employment to be held in Luxembourg tomorrow and on Friday.
In addition, the Government laid before the Dáil a written statement of the Irish position on employment and on the Special Council. A copy of the statement is being provided also to the Heads of State and Government in advance of the Special Council meeting.
It will be evident to the Deputy from these developments that the Government is a very active participant in the Special Council. I have been involved in preparatory discussions in the ECOFIN Council that are designed to ensure a successful outcome at the Special Council.
A number of developments are expected to emerge from the Special Council of which two are particularly significant.
First, an agreement on employment guidelines to be implemented by the member states. Progress on implementation of these guidelines will be monitored through national action plans to be prepared by each individual member state.
Second, a financial package under which the European Investment Bank will provide an additional one billion ECU for investment in projects with job-creation potential, particularly in small and medium sized enterprises. The EIB contribution is expected to be complemented by a special allocation of an initial 150 million ECU from the EU Budget for employment measures.