Vol. 572 No. 2
205 Mr. O'Connor asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the priorities of his Department in respect of Ireland's Presidency of the EU 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. [22693/03]
The priorities which my Department has proposed in respect of Ireland's Presidency of the EU are as follows: islands – conference in Galway on 19-21 May 2004; rural development – conference in Mayo on 30 and 31 May and 1 June 2004; and drugs strategy – meeting of national drugs strategy co-ordinators in Dublin on 15 and 16 June 2004.
All three events would be high level meetings at official level. They have been included in the calendar of such meetings for the forthcoming Irish Presidency which was deposited recently in the Oireachtas Library by the Minister for Foreign Affairs. I plan to open the two conferences and the Minister of State at my Department, Deputy Noel Ahern, may open the national co-ordinators meeting.
The timing of the events for May and June 2004 means that they will take place after the formal enlargement of the EU on 1 May 2004. In addition to their overall objective of making a contribution to furthering strategic consideration by the EU in three important policy areas, they should provide occasions on which to celebrate and welcome ten new members to the European family.
The proposed priorities reflect my Department's remit. It does not cover lead responsibility for areas where decisions are taken at EU level. For example, drawing up priorities for a council agenda or an informal ministerial meeting would not arise.
