Joe Higgins
Ceist:20 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the matters discussed and conclusions reached at the EU Summit in Thessalonika, Greece; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16747/03]
Written Answers. - EU Summits.
Pat Rabbitte
Ceist:21 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Thessalonika EU summit. [17362/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 21 together.
I have had the conclusions of the European Council laid before both Houses. On Wednesday, 25 June, the earliest opportunity following the Council, I made a comprehensive statement on the outcome of the Council.
I made clear that the Council was a major success for the European Union. It marked a further milestone in the enlargement of the European Union with the Heads of State or Government of the ten accession states attending as observers; it warmly welcomed the outcome of the European Convention and it accepted the work of the convention as a good basis for the start of the intergovernmental conference; it set out a detailed work programme in the area of justice and home affairs; and it approved the appointment of a new Governor of the European Central Bank.
For further details, I refer Deputies to my Dáil statement.
Questions Nos. 22 to 25 resubmitted.
Joe Higgins
Ceist:26 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the production and distribution of the Government's progress report published on 3 June 2003. [16751/03]
The preparation and production of the progress report is carried out under the direction of the programme manager in my Department. Ministers and their Departments provide information to him on the status of the various commitments contained in the programme. This material was subsequently compiled and edited by one of my advisers.
The document was distributed to the national and local media in the normal way by the Government Press Office. The report was also distributed to members of the Oireachtas. A full copy of the report can also be accessed on the Department of the Taoiseach website.
Questions Nos. 27 to 29 resubmitted.