Enda Kenny
Ceist:3 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach the bilateral meetings he held during his attendance at the recent European Council meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19727/02]
Ceisteanna – Questions. - Official Engagements.
Enda Kenny
Ceist:4 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach when he will next meet the President of the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19940/02]
Pat Rabbitte
Ceist:5 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach the matters discussed and any conclusions reached at his meeting with Prime Minister Simitis of Greece, in the margins of the Brussels summit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20264/02]
Pat Rabbitte
Ceist:6 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach his priorities for the EU summit at Copenhagen in December 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20265/02]
Pat Rabbitte
Ceist:7 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach the other EU leaders he intends to meet in advance of the EU summit in Copenhagen in December 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20266/02]
Enda Kenny
Ceist:8 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the European Council meeting in Brussels on 24 and 25 October 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21079/02]
Enda Kenny
Ceist:9 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the bilateral meetings he held during his attendance at the recent European Council in Brussels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21080/02]
Joe Higgins
Ceist:10 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Taoiseach the official visits abroad he plans to make over the coming months. [21087/02]
Trevor Sargent
Ceist:11 Mr. Sargent asked the Taoiseach if he will report on bilateral meetings he had with other EU leaders on the margins of the EU Summit in Brussels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21305/02]
Trevor Sargent
Ceist:12 Mr. Sargent asked the Taoiseach the agenda for the EU summit at Copenhagen in December 2002; the Government's priorities for the summit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21306/02]
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:13 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Taoiseach his priorities for the EU summit in Copenhagen in December 2002. [21348/02]
Pat Rabbitte
Ceist:14 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the outcome of the EU summit in Brussels on 24 and 25 October 2002. [21349/02]
Joe Higgins
Ceist:15 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the matters discussed and conclusions reached at the bilateral meetings he held at the recent summit of EU Leaders in Brussels. [21360/02]
Joe Higgins
Ceist:16 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Taoiseach his priorities for the EU summit to be held in Copenhagen in December 2002. [21361/02]
Joe Higgins
Ceist:17 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Taoiseach the EU leaders with whom he plans to meet in advance of his attendance at the EU summit in Copenhagen in December 2002. [21362/02]
Joe Higgins
Ceist:18 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the conclusions reached at the recent summit of EU leaders in Brussels. [21365/02]
Enda Kenny
Ceist:19 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach the foreign visits he will undertake in the first half of 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22140/02]
Trevor Sargent
Ceist:20 Mr. Sargent asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with the President of the United Mexican States, Mr. Vincente Fox, on 13 November 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22434/02]
Pat Rabbitte
Ceist:21 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the outcome of his meeting with the President of Mexico, Mr. Vincente Fox. [22455/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 to 21, inclusive, together.
I refer Deputies to my statement to the House on 6 November when I reported extensively on the proceedings of the Brussels European Council, including the preparatory meetings held before the Council and bilateral meetings held during the Council. I also outlined the preparations for the European Council in Copenhagen. In addition, the Minister for Foreign Affairs answered a wide range of questions on the European Council.
The European Council marked a major success for the European Union and Ireland and laid the foundations for the successful conclusion of the enlargement negotiations at the Copenhagen Council in December. Since making the statement, a meeting has been agreed with Prime Minister Rasmussen of Denmark on 5 December. The Prime Minister will visit Dublin as part of his tour of capitals in preparation for the Copenhagen European Council.
With regard to my travel plans over the coming months, I will pay an official six day visit to Mexico in mid-January. This visit, which is at the invitation of the Mexican Government, will afford an excellent opportunity to review the bilateral relations between our two countries and to explore ways of increasing trade. To this end, I will be accompanied on my visit by representatives of Enterprise Ireland among others. I was delighted to welcome President Fox to Government Buildings on 13 November. This was the first State visit to Ireland by a Mexican President. Our meeting provided us with the opportunity to review the excellent bilateral relations which exist between our two countries.
During our discussions, I briefed President Fox on recent developments in the EU and on the imminent enlargement of the European Union to include up to 12 new member countries. We discussed the role of the European convention in addressing the vital questions on the future direction of Europe in the run up to Ireland's Presidency in 2004. We noted the growing importance of trade between our two countries and of the wider trade relationship between Europe and Latin America. Bilateral trade between Ireland and Mexico is valued at almost €800 million, making Mexico our largest trading partner in Latin America. As Mexico and Ireland both currently serve on the UN Security Council, the President and I also discussed a wide range of international issues.
I have also planned two one day visits to the Czech Republic and Portugal at the end of January and the beginning of February respectively. I will attend European Council meetings in Brussels and Thessalonika in March and June respectively. I also expect to visit Washington for St. Patrick's Day.
On the last occasion, the Taoiseach said he was to speak to the Prime Minister Mr. Blair about Sellafield at the European Council meeting in Brussels. Given that the American Government has confirmed that the voice of Osama bin Laden is on recently released videotape in which he makes direct terrorist threats against Britain, did he raise the matter with Mr. Blair? Will he arrange a visit by officials from the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland to British Nuclear Fuels Limited so that they can examine the consequences of increased security arising from the possibility of a terrorist attack on Sellafield? Given that the worsening global terrorist threat is very real, will the Taoiseach ensure that an invitation is extended to these officials as a matter of urgency?
Those questions may be more appropriate later. A number of questions have been tabled to the Taoiseach regarding his meetings with the British Prime Minister.
The Taoiseach undertook to raise this specifically with Mr. Blair.
I pointed out to Deputy Kenny previously that because of discussions on Northern Ireland issues at my last meeting with the Prime Minister, we did not get to discuss this issue at the formal session, though I had a discussion with him on the fringes of the summit. I will raise the matter relating to the Radiological Protection Agency of Ireland with him. There is a number of issues relating to Sellafield and the security threat and Deputy Kenny is correct in his assessment. Over the past two weeks, there has been a number of statements by the British Prime Minister and reports by British security intelligence sources about serious threats. They heighten security generally, and more particularly at Sellafield. We have had some communications on that but I will raise the matter relating to the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland with them. Much coded language is being used at present and we are trying to find out how specific some of these matters are. Even if they do not concern Sellafield, some of the issues that have been raised are worrying. The national safety committee has been working on these issues and it has good contacts and links in that regard. However, I will try to get some data and, in so far as it is not highly confidential, report it to the House.
Has the Taoiseach had any discussions about the reconfiguration of constituencies for future European elections? Has the commission been set up? Of whom is it likely to be comprised? When is it likely to be convened? Would the Taoiseach be agreeable to the commission appearing before the relevant committee of the House to hear the views of Members on this issue before it is decided?
I presume the Deputy is referring to the EU constituencies for the 2004 election.
Yes.
To the best of my knowledge no date has been fixed and nothing has been set up although I can check for the Deputy. If there are representations, I will be glad to hear them. I think I saw somewhere that the commission was to be set up next March but I will check for the correct information. If Members wish to air their views in committee, I have no problem with that.
How urgent does the Taoiseach regard this issue? There will be 12 MEPs from this State in future. Will the Taoiseach indicate when we are likely to know the configuration of the new constituencies?
It would be good if this was done as soon as possible. To the best of my knowledge, the completed census figures will not be available until autumn next year, which will be too late. Whatever examination takes place will have to be on the basis of the existing areas but I will confirm that for the Deputy.
The Taoiseach said he will be in Washington on St. Patrick's Day. Does he have an invitation to meet President Bush and, if so, does he intend to accept it? The Taoiseach will be aware that, incredibly, on the first day of the inspectors—
The Deputy must just ask a question, in fairness to other Members who have submitted questions. We are running out of time. The Deputy should confine himself to asking questions rather than making statements.
Is the Taoiseach aware that on the first day the weapons inspectors arrived in Iraq the United States, incredibly, launched a series of bombing attacks? Does the Taoiseach agree that he should cancel his visit to Washington in the event of the United States Administration launching an unjustified war on Iraq, which it obviously seeks regardless of what happens on the weapons front?
I have no such invitation at present. If I had and if I was going to America, I would accept it. I do not believe that is the US intention. The Security Council approved resolution 1441 and the arms inspectors have started their work. There is a 30 day period followed by a 15 day period so over the next 45 days Saddam Hussein will, hopefully, comply with the resolution, to which we gave our input, and satisfactorily complete the process. We will thus avoid any difficulties about military action.
Does the Taoiseach feel anger at the delay in EU enlargement which he claimed he would feel had the Nice treaty been rejected? We now discover EU enlargement is to be delayed by at least four months. Is this expected to be the final delay or are there other difficult problems that might cause further delays in EU enlargement, which everybody in the House supports?
There is no delay. What happened yesterday was based on the work that is continuing to complete enlargement. The EU General Affairs and External Relations Council had a meeting with Foreign Ministers of the ten Laeken candidate countries to discuss issues to be resolved in the final stages of negotiation. It is hoped that the work they completed yesterday will allow an intensive fortnight of discussions to proceed with a view to completion. A number of issues have arisen concerning a number of countries but approximately 90% of the enlargement work for the ten applicant countries has been completed. Following the two week period of discussion, the Presidency of the European Commission will propose a package to the partners for agreement. Once that has been obtained the candidate countries will meet again with the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council on 9 December. The Council will then finalise its affairs for the European summit in mid-December and the applicant countries must then complete their own ratification procedures.
For some time we had tentatively envisaged 1 January 2004 as the accession date for the ten applicant states, but it was recognised that the deadline could not be met. Therefore, it has now been agreed that 1 May 2004 will be the date of accession for those states. It is not a delay but, rather, follows an analysis by the EU Presidency for the time required both by the EU and the applicant countries to ratify the treaty of accession.
It was also agreed yesterday that commissioners for the new member states will join the Commission from 1 May 2004. They will do so without portfolio until the new Commission is appointed in autumn 2004. The new member states will participate in elections to the European Parliament in mid-June 2004. They will also have rights of participation in the next Intergovernmental Conference. Now that all states have ratified the Nice treaty, the timescale for accession has been fixed and, hopefully, there will be no changes in the dates to which I have referred.
It is a four month delay.
They lost several months during the negotiations but they are pleased with the outcome. Otherwise, the applicant countries' representatives would have joined the European Council earlier and the entire Commission would have had to be altered during its final months in office. It would not have made much sense to do that. Many of the applicant countries want to have all of next year for the purpose of ratifying their own treaties of accession. Therefore, this is a sensible, agreed position to take, both for the member states and the applicant ones.
Will the proposed opening up of the 50-mile Irish box to other EU fishing fleets be raised at the Copenhagen Sum mit next month? Will the Taoiseach use that opportunity strongly to oppose this measure, which will deal a mortal blow to the fishing industry and the communities it supports? Will the Taoiseach tell us if the draft EU constitution, which arises from the convention, will also be addressed at the Copenhagen Summit? What is the Taoiseach's view of an EU constitution which would supersede all state constitutions? Does he believe in the words of the draft as presented, that "a union of European States which, while retaining their national identities, closely co-ordinate their policies at the European level and administer certain competencies on a federal basis"? Does the Taoiseach support this federal project?
As regards the Deputy's first question, the Common Fisheries Policy will be discussed next week and a full Fisheries Council will be held later in December. I do not expect it will be on the agenda for the European Council's summit meeting.
On the Deputy's second point, after the listening phase that went on for the past number of months, the convention has now reached an important stage of its work. The former French President, Monsieur Giscard d'Estaing, has published a draft constitutional treaty. There are many aspects to that treaty, some of which I favour and some of which I am concerned about. It is all up for discussion.
There are ten sub-groups, some of which have reported, others will report before Christmas and some may report in January or even February. The more formal plenary session will be held on 10 December, which Oireachtas Members will attend, and the Government will also pay close attention. We are now at an early stage.
I am not in favour of any kind of federalist Europe. There are different kinds of groups in the convention – there are sceptics, although I am not one of them, federalists, integrationists and intergovernmentalists, so there are many different positions. That is what the convention and forum will be about for the next year. They hope to complete their work by next summer at the earliest.
The Italian Prime Minister, Mr. Berlusconi, seems very enthusiastic, given the work leading to the intergovernmental conference, that he may be able to sign off on a new treaty of Rome. Does the Taoiseach's timescale envisage that happening or does he see this carrying through to Ireland's Presidency in 2004?
What is the Taoiseach's view on the European Council proposal to open the Irish fishing box to the fleets of Spain and other countries in the context of depleting stocks? In terms of globalisation and north-south, rich-poor issues, what is the Taoiseach's assessment of the Ger man-French agricultural pact and its implications for such issues?
On the Intergovernmental Conference, I do not see how one could envisage Italy wrapping this up based on what happened originally, although I can understand why Mr. Berlusconi would like to do so. The idea was that this would be a break, and I favour a break between the two. That makes eminent sense. I do not agree with this but there will be a debate on the issue.
Deputy Rabbitte asked me a straight question about the fisheries proposal and the straight answer is that I oppose it. It goes against all the advice we have on conservation, never mind the damage it would do. We have fought on conservation issues for many years and this runs against our position in those battles. I do not agree with it.
The move on the agricultural issue is very beneficial for us. It is a good deal for us although, like every other deal, it may not include everything we want. The concept behind the deal is that direct payments for the ten new member states would be phased in incrementally, as proposed by the Commission. In 2004 they would get 25% and 5% in 2005, 2006 and 2007. They will then be paid 10% up to 2013. Within those figures the direct payments are not index-related and have not been for a decade, as Deputy Rabbitte knows. Taking the 1% which will apply on top of that in 2006 and the fact that rural development, the REPS and other environmental issues as well as the matters of Romania and Bulgaria have been excluded, so far as one can look at the figures up to 2013 it seems there is enough for existing member states. Obviously that is on a very tight basis.
Germany has made a large contribution to make this happen because it pays over 25% of the budget. The critical view is that Germany will do well out of enlargement anyway so it should do so, but that is a big move from where Germany has been for the past two years. From an Irish perspective it is a very good deal. It means no change to the end of 2006.
Is it a good deal—
Sorry, Deputy, we are running out of time.
I think it is a very good deal for the Irish but obviously when the discussions are held again in the world trade round, different arguments will be put forward about how we deal with food supply and other issues.
However, there may be some changes, notwithstanding this. For that reason Irish farmers should be doing more to make themselves ready for a position, even if it is sometime between 2006 and 2013, when the Common Agricultural Policy will not provide in the long-term the kind of resources we now have. Those resources are fairly well pro tected for a decade. I did not think we would get a deal as good as this after 2006, but I still think this issue will come home to roost.
With regard to the world trade round, there are many areas that will change. It would be advisable for us, and for Europe, to continue to work with Mr. Franz Fischler on some of its reviews, even if they do not have legal status. The issues he is trying to deal with in his review are among those that will protect European agriculture subsequent to the world trade round. Last week I had a good assessment of the world trade round, as seen by the Mexicans. Europe will have to give way on a number of issues. It is better that we agree on this rather than get into difficulties arising out of a Doha package when it comes, as it will come.