Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:361 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans and ambitions during his Presidency of the European Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22401/03]
Written Answers. - EU Presidency.
Reflecting my Department's broad economic remit, I will be responsible for a wide range of EU Presidency business across the sectoral policy areas of telecommunications, energy, broadcasting, fisheries, maritime transport and maritime safety. I will have commensurate chairing responsibilities for the Agriculture and Fisheries, Transport, Energy and Telecommunications and Education Youth and Culture Council formations. Within the Government's overall strategic approach to the EU and the forthcoming Presidency I am working to deliver on policy priorities at EU level up to and during the Presidency.
Presidency agendas and priorities across all these sectoral policy areas are being firmed up and will be finalised as part of the overall Irish Presidency programme. During the Presidency, my Department and I will host a number of conferences and informal meetings here in Ireland which will discuss and progress key issues in the telecommunications, fisheries, marine research and broadcasting fields. I am completing a series of visits to the accession countries and I plan a round of pre-Presidency bilateral meetings with EU partners before year end.