Vol. 572 No. 2
128 Mr. O'Connor asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the priorities of his Department in respect of Ireland's Presidency of the European Union in 2004; if his attention has been drawn to the interest being generated by these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22697/03]
As I have advised the House 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. I welcome, and will continue to encourage, widespread interest across the business community, the sectors and the public at large in Ireland's forthcoming Presidency at a critical time for the EU itself.
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.
