Enda Kenny
Ceist:7 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach the costs which have accrued to his Department since January 2003 in respect of the National Forum on Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15220/03]
Ceisteanna – Questions. - Official Engagements.
Pat Rabbitte
Ceist:8 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the outcome of the EU-Russia summit in St. Petersburg on 30 May 2003. [15284/03]
Enda Kenny
Ceist:9 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the recent 300th anniversary celebrations in St. Petersburg; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15615/03]
Enda Kenny
Ceist:10 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach the bilateral meetings he held during his attendance at the recent anniversary celebrations in St. Petersburg; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15616/03]
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:11 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his participation in the EU summit meeting in St. Petersburg. [15754/03]
Trevor Sargent
Ceist:12 Mr. Sargent asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the EU-Russia summit in St. Petersburg in May 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16667/03]
Joe Higgins
Ceist:13 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the matters discussed and conclusions reached at bilateral meetings he attended on the margins of the EU summit in Thessaloniki, Greece; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16748/03]
Joe Higgins
Ceist:14 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the matters discussed and conclusions reached at the EU-Russia summit in St. Petersburg; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16764/03]
Joe Higgins
Ceist:15 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Taoiseach the matters discussed and conclusions reached at bilateral meetings which he attended at the EU-Russia summit meeting in St. Petersburg. [16765/03]
Pat Rabbitte
Ceist:16 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the outcome of his official visit to Finland on 12 June 2003. [17358/03]
Pat Rabbitte
Ceist:17 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the outcome of his official visit to Estonia on 12 June 2003. [17359/03]
Pat Rabbitte
Ceist:18 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach the additional resources, in terms of personnel or facilities he envisages his Department having to acquire to deal with Ireland's role as President of the EU in the first six months of 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17361/03]
Pat Rabbitte
Ceist:19 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach the bilateral meetings held on the margins of the Thessaloniki summit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17363/03]
Enda Kenny
Ceist:20 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the bilateral meetings on the margins of the European Council meeting in Greece; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17369/03]
Joe Higgins
Ceist:21 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with the King and Queen of Malaysia during their three-day State visit to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17465/03]
Joe Higgins
Ceist:22 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Taoiseach the matters and conclusions reached at his meeting with the Prime Minister of Croatia, Mr. Ivica Racan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17466/03]
Joe Higgins
Ceist:23 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with the Prime Minister of Estonia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17468/03]
Joe Higgins
Ceist:24 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with the Prime Minister of Finland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17469/03]
Joe Higgins
Ceist:25 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Taoiseach the bilateral meetings he intends to hold in preparation for Ireland's Presidency of the EU from January to June 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17470/03]
Joe Higgins
Ceist:26 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Taoiseach his priorities for Ireland's forthcoming Presidency of the EU from January to June 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17471/03]
Pat Rabbitte
Ceist:27 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach the future role his Department envisages for the National Forum on Europe; the total costs incurred by his Department to date from the operation of the forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17497/03]
Trevor Sargent
Ceist:28 Mr. Sargent asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the outcome of the EU June 2003 summit in Thessaloniki; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17658/03]
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:29 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Taoiseach the cost of the National Forum on Europe since June 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17664/03]
Trevor Sargent
Ceist:30 Mr. Sargent asked the Taoiseach the costs to his Department to date in 2003 resulting from the work of the National Forum on Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17824/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 to 30, inclusive, together.
A total of €437,799 has been spent by my Department in the period 1 January 2003 to 31 May 2003 in relation to the National Forum on Europe. As well as salary costs, this expenditure includes six plenary meetings, seven regional meetings, the publication and launch of the forum's third progress report and the production of a video on the convention on Europe, which has been circulated to transition year schools and the completion of a related national public speaking competition.
In the 2003 Revised Estimates, an allocation of €922,000 has been made to the National Forum on Europe and spending to date this year has remained within profile.
The House will be aware that the National Forum on Europe is an independent body with an independent chairperson and secretariat. It would be inappropriate for me to report on progress to date within the forum or to comment on its day-to-day operation other than to say that I am happy that the forum is fully meeting its remit.
The role of the forum is kept under constant review and the Government has no plans to make significant changes in relation to the forum at this time.
I attended the EU-Russia summit in St. Petersburg at the end of May. The summit formed part of a larger civic programme to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the founding of the city. President Putin invited the Heads of State or Government of all 15 EU member states and our partners in the ten acceding countries to attend the summit. This was the first international summit where the EU member states and the ten acceding countries joined together as a single delegation.
The principal agenda item was EU-Russia relations. We focused on renewed mechanisms of co-operation and dialogue to improve EU-Russia partnership in the 21st century. To this end the summit agreed to strengthen the existing Co-operation Council by creating a permanent partnership council. This council will meet more frequently and will deal with issues in a more comprehensive and streamlined manner.
A joint statement was adopted at the summit. The key issues contained in the statement included strengthening of political dialogue, development of a common European economic space, ratification of the Kyoto Protocol, issues relating to justice and home affairs, including a common response to drugs and terrorism, the current situation in Chechnya and security and defence issues.
As the programme prepared by the Russian authorities was very comprehensive, I did not have the opportunity to arrange any private bilateral meetings. However, I was delighted to have the opportunity to meet informally with the Heads of State or Government from a variety of countries during the course of the visit.
On Thursday, 12 June, as part of a structured series of engagements with my European counterparts in the context of the forthcoming Irish Presidency of the Union and the ongoing business of the Union, I visited Helsinki for talks with Prime Minister Jaatteenmaki. Later that day I travelled on to Talinn for a meeting with Prime Minister Paarts. The focus of my discussions with both was on issues of concern regarding both European Union and international matters.
I informed both leaders that the effective and efficient conduct of the Union's business will be the overriding priority and focus of our preparations for our Presidency in 2004. I stated that work on the development of our Presidency programme was ongoing and that I was anxious to hear their views and to have an understanding of their concerns as we identified and developed priorities.
I informed both that the Lisbon agenda would be a priority for our Presidency and I had an exchange of views with each of them on how best to advance the agenda despite the challenges of economic slowdown and global uncertainty. Progress at the European Convention and the likely timetable for the subsequent Intergovernmental Conference to be set at the Thessaloniki summit was also a major focus for discussion with both Prime Ministers.
The House will be aware that the Prime Minister of Finland has in recent days resigned from her post. I look forward to working with her successor in strengthening and deepening relations between our countries.
I met Prime Minister Racan of Croatia on 13 June during his official visit to Ireland. I wel comed the opening of the new Croatian embassy in Dublin as a sign of the developing relations between our two countries. The Prime Minister and I discussed Croatia's application for membership of the European Union. I said that Ireland welcomed Croatia's application for membership and I assured Prime Minister Racan that we would offer Croatia our full support.
I also assured the Prime Minister that during our Presidency relations with the western Balkans would remain an important foreign policy priority for the EU. I reminded him that Ireland was one of the first member states to ratify Croatia's stabilisation and association agreement with the EU.
The Prime Minister in turn briefed me on economic and social reform in Croatia and Croatia's relations with neighbouring Balkan states, including the new state union of Serbia and Montenegro. The stability and future prosperity of the region also depends on continued improvement in regional co-operation. Croatia has been playing a very positive role in this area.
I was pleased to have the opportunity to welcome the King of Malaysia to Ireland when I met him at Farmleigh on 16 June. I also hosted a Government luncheon for the King and Queen the following day. I assured the King that their visit here represented another example of the increased links at the highest level between our two countries, following on from the very successful state visit of President McAleese to Malaysia last year. I welcomed the fact that Malaysia is the first member of ASEAN to open a resident mission in Ireland.
The King and I noted our excellent bilateral economic relations, including our high levels of trade and our common interest and expertise in information and communications technology and other high-tech related industries.
We discussed the ASEM IV summit which took place in Copenhagen in September last year when I made a contribution on lifelong learning and the digital divide. We noted the long-standing relationship that Ireland and Malaysia enjoy in education and in particular the number of Malaysian medical students studying in Ireland.
I welcomed the establishment of the Malaysian Irish Alumni Association in Kuala Lumpur last year. This will provide a platform for regular networking between many of these graduates of Irish colleges.
I attended the European Council in Thessaloniki on Thursday and Friday last. I will be providing a comprehensive report on my attendance at the Council to the House in statements which will commence shortly.
In relation to bilateral meetings, I met with Prime Minister Blair en marge of the Council on Friday when we discussed Northern Ireland affairs. No other formal bilateral meetings were held, however, the Council provided for the usual informal contact with my counterparts.
As I indicated previously to the House, I will continue my structured series of engagements with member and accession states in the context of the forthcoming Irish Presidency of the EU and the ongoing business of the Union. Actually, I did have an informal meeting with the President of Cyprus.
To date this year, I have visited the Czech Republic, Portugal, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, Finland and Estonia. Visits have been arranged to Turkey on 17 July, Spain on 22 July, Austria and Slovenia on 24 July and France on 12 September. Arrangements for a visit to Italy before the end of the year are being finalised. I also hope to visit a number of other countries and these visits are at an early stage of planning.
As I indicated earlier, the effective and efficient conduct of the Union's business will be the overriding priority and focus of our preparations for our Presidency in 2004. Our aim in relation to the Lisbon strategy, while seeking to progress the objectives generally, will be to focus on a limited number of issues of relevance and meaning to the public where tangible outputs can be achieved.
I am committed to completing work on the area of freedom, justice and security in accordance with the Tampere agenda by 1 May 2004. I will seek to use our close relationship with the United States to further improve EU-US relations during our Presidency. I also look forward to welcoming the ten new member states on 1 May 2004, and the challenge of being the first Presidency to deal with a 25-member Union.
The Presidency will bring increased demands on my Department. It is not envisaged at this stage to increase the staff complement but to meet the demand by the re-allocation of existing personnel. This measure will be supported by temporary contracts necessary to meet other needs arising. During 2003, an amount of €400,000 has been reserved for my Department from the central allocation for Presidency expenses. This will meet costs arising in information services, protocol facilities, travel and subsistence together with a major conference on the information society to be hosted by the Minister of State, Deputy Hanafin. A provision for 2004 has not yet been decided and will be considered in the framework of the budget, together with applications from other Departments.
The Taoiseach has given a lot of information in his reply and as other Deputies wish to ask questions, I will be brief. I hope the King of Malaysia enjoyed his round of golf at the Old Head of Kinsale following the fine meal the Taoiseach hosted in Dublin Castle.
In respect of the European Convention, the Taoiseach will have had an opportunity to look at the draft constitution accepted by the leaders as being the basis for a fair and balanced Intergovernmental Conference. If it transpires that the draft constitution, as proposed, remains substantially unamended, which I hope will be the case, does the Taoiseach believe this will require a referendum here in order to give effect to that? In other words, will a referendum be necessary here? What steps is the Government taking to ensure the public are fully informed about what is contained in the draft constitution so that we will not have a repeat of Nice one where the public were largely uninformed on a range of complex issues? Does the Taoiseach believe the Italian Presidency will be able to conclude with an Intergovernmental Conference or are we likely to have the treaty confirmed as the Treaty of Dublin, as distinct from Mr. Berlusconi's strong personal wish that it be termed the Treaty of Rome II?
We will hear a brief reply from the Taoiseach but the questions are more appropriate to this evening's business.
The Taoiseach specifically referred to his meeting in Nice. They are very brief questions.
There were a lot of questions which refer to other areas.
I will give a brief reply. I think it will go to the Irish Presidency. I am fairly certain about that but it could be otherwise. I proposed last week that the treaty should be named the European treaty. The whole concept is to make it closer to the people. We should sign, in a proper ceremony, in our own individual countries where we could explain to our people what we are doing, which is the point the Deputy made. All the other countries could do that but to be honest, for our own benefit I think we should have the signing here, but the accession countries are anxious to have an involvement. It is a popular measure. If Mr. Berlusconi wants to have a function in Rome to lodge the treaty, because all treaties are lodged in Rome, I have no problem with that but we have to show that it is close to the people.
On the education programme and many other initiatives from the National Forum for Europe, we have already started that by way of a video to show what is arising from it. It may not be necessary to have a constitutional referendum in many countries but my own view is that it will be necessary here. I do not see how it will not be.
It will or will not be necessary?
It will be necessary.
A Cheann Comhairle, bearing in mind your strictures in terms of the forthcoming debate on the summit, may I raise a different point with the Taoiseach? Traditionally there have been meetings on the margins of these meetings with the British Prime Minister, Mr. Blair, and usually they have been of some importance. Did such a meeting take place on this occasion and, if so, will he comment on the outcome?
Has the Taoiseach taken any particular steps in terms of earlier questions about resources and staffing in his own office in terms of preparation for the Presidency? Are resources being allocated to promotion of the outcome of the convention and is there to be a referendum?
I intend to use the same staff in my own office but it will mean taking people in the Department off other duties so that they can deal with that. It might be necessary to get some contract staff but we hope not too many. We hope to move people around.
The difficulty with the Presidency these days is that we have to run a seven day office. I think it was the same the last time. We have to operate on Saturday and Sunday but I have already discussed this with the staff and we hope to follow that system.
I had a long and detailed meeting with Prime Minister Blair. The key points were how we should handle the marching season and the initiatives that are going on in that regard. I stressed my strong view about the elections in the autumn, as I did here last week. Prime Minister Blair is very concerned about what is happening in the Ulster Unionist Party and how that will play out. As stated by the Secretary of State, Paul Murphy, over the weekend in interviews, they see the sense in the election but they are concerned about what will happen to the stability of the institutions arising from that. I share that concern but a more serious difficulty will arise if we do not face up to dealing with the position. The key issue that arises is that a large part of the Ulster Unionist Party, a large part of the Democratic Unionist Party, the UK Unionist Party and some other splinter groups are saying they will fight the campaign on the renegotiation of the Agreement. Deputies Rabbitte and Kenny and I share the view that we cannot do this. We are, therefore, in a difficult position.
I hope to meet David Trimble. I was to meet him on Monday, but he cancelled because of difficulties involving his Westminster parliamentary party. It is a little unclear what is happening. I hope to meet him as soon as he is in a position to move on. I think Prime Minister Blair would share my concern that we have a short period to resolve this through the marching season and then we have to try to make a political move by September. It will be difficult.
We will take three brief questions from the Technical Group. It is a matter for members of the group to decide who will ask questions.
I have a question tabled.
We are running out of time. If Deputies had obeyed the Chair when the first five questions were being taken, we would have more time.
I do not remember disobeying the Chair.
The Deputy should ask a brief question.
I have a question listed.
I will be brief. In fairness, it is appropriate that each party leader ask a question.
The Deputy should ask a brief question. Deputies Kenny and Rabbitte, who represent—
The Taoiseach gave the House a large number of replies in one contribution. With the draft EU constitution taking us down the route of a much more militant and military based organisation, will it be necessary to renegotiate the Defence Acts to allow Irish troops to serve without an explicit EU or UN mandate in the future?
I ask the Taoiseach to clarify remarks he made recently at the summit in St. Petersburg when he stated: "I particularly would not like to see us getting into a position of being opted out or where we would have to pull out of the whole debate. I think it requires some new thinking around it but we have not got that done." I cannot understand this statement which was made in relation to the European defence debate.
A question, please.
I am asking the Taoiseach to clarify exactly what he meant. This gobbledegook does not mean that he has not thought about the matter or has yet to make conclusions on it. Other parties have certainly made conclusions on it.
I ask the Deputy to give way to Deputy Joe Higgins, otherwise I will have to call on the Taoiseach to reply.
Perhaps the Taoiseach will inform the House exactly what is his position.
During recent European Union summits or other discussions among EU leaders, did discussions take place on the reactionary plans to attack workers pension rights in many EU countries, for example, in France where a proposal to extend the working life of the average worker by several years has evoked significant opposition among working people? What view did the Government take on the matter?
The summit noted the launch of practical co-operation in the framework for European security and defence policy, notably in crisis management, and expressed a wish to work towards a joint approach in this field. That is our position. We have no problem with the extension of the Petersberg Tasks, but we have no desire to change in any other areas. I made this clear at the meetings. We still believe there should be UN mandate positions and did not commit people to the recent force. Increasingly, the UN is delegating missions to regional organisations, but we have not changed our position on the matter.
On pension rights, a discussion of the issue did not take place. However, the Deputy is correct that this is a very live issue in a number of countries. I talked to a number of colleagues about what is happening. There is a general move in many European countries to extend the pension age from 65 years to 67 or 68 years. It is inevitable that the pension age in Austria, France and a number of other countries will be 67 or 68 years.
Why is it inevitable?
It is inevitable because legislation has been passed and will be enforced.
We are going backwards, not forwards.
Allow the Taoiseach to speak without interruption, please.
When a Parliament passes an Act, it is meant to implement it.
We will have children as chimney sweeps again before long.
We have to move on.
The Taoiseach did not answer the questions.