Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 May 2004
8 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps being take to progress the Lisbon agenda in the final weeks of Ireland’s Presidency of the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14526/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Lisbon agenda was considered at the spring European Council on 25 and 26 March, chaired by the Taoiseach. Discussion focused on the priority issues of sustainable growth and employment. Following the successful outcome of the European Council, the focus of work in this area is on ensuring that key Lisbon agenda dossiers are finalised or advanced before the end of Ireland's Presidency.
The Irish Presidency has secured agreement on a number of important Lisbon agenda dossiers. These include the transparency and financial instruments markets directives of the financial services action plan, the second railway package and the revised trans-European networks guidelines. Agreement has also been reached on the reform of EU Regulation No. 1408 aimed at making it easier for EU citizens to access social insurance entitlements in other member states. The introduction of the European health insurance card on 1 June will simplify access to necessary health care for any European citizen while on a temporary stay in another member state.
In addition, political agreement has just been reached in Council on the mutual recognition of professional qualifications and we also hope to reach agreement on a further dossier, which is the Europass. These two dossiers are aimed at facilitating citizens in having their educational and professional qualifications recognised throughout the Union. The June European Council is expected to note progress achieved on a number of major dossiers relevant to the implementation of the Lisbon agenda.
We are also engaged in the process of preparing Ireland's national contribution to the mid-term review of the Lisbon agenda. All member states were asked at the spring European Council to prepare national inputs to the mid-term review in consultation with national reform partnerships. These national inputs, in addition to the report due in November this year by the recently established independent high level group headed by Wim Kok, will be considered by the European Commission in its report to the spring European Council next year.
It was indicated that Ireland would become the most competitive knowledge-based economy in the world by 2010. However, many people now indicate that Ireland is at the lower end of the European scale in terms of research and development. Given that Europe is at the lower end of the scale in comparison with the US, Ireland, as a competitor in the worldwide economy, is at a serious disadvantage unless recognition is given to the targets for 2010 and the need to make headway in bringing the country back to the position it held eight or nine years ago.
Many initiatives have been taken by the Government and its predecessor on funding both pure and applied research through the establishment of Science Foundation Ireland and the significant moneys made available for it. This has been well received by the heads of our third level institutions where this research is taking place. Clearly, there is a need to improve the level of funding throughout Europe for research and development. It is one of the Lisbon agenda indicators which is not being met.
According to recent reports on investment coming into Europe, Ireland has been high up on the list after Britain and the Netherlands, as a recipient of significant high technology industrial investment. This is being resourced and labour is being provided from the investment we make in our educational system and the sciences generally.
We started from a low base ten or 15 years ago. When I was Minister for Health and Children, I recall the Health Research Board pointing out to me that there was a need for greater research facilities. The Government has been proactive in this area. I do not accept we are falling behind or complacent, or that we are not doing anything. While I do not suggest we are at the height of our powers in this area, I believe that thankfully many well qualified research scientists have returned to Ireland on the basis that the Government has been receptive to ideas as to how we might build research facilities here. I agree there is more to do but we are not at the back of the class, and Europe has much more to do.
Does the Minister agree that in addition to competitiveness and innovation the Lisbon Agenda also included the fundamental principles of social Europe? Is the Minister not concerned that so far in terms of social protection, the gaps have widened between countries with adequate social protection and Ireland, for example? Compared to Sweden with 33%, Ireland has 14%, which is second last. Is it not the case that the social dimension of the Lisbon agreement is growing further away from our attainment with incredible results in terms of inequality?
We must study exactly what these statistics mean. Some countries, which traditionally have had very high levels of social protection, are now facing reforms in these areas, particularly in terms of future pension provision. They are even coming under pressure to reform areas of basic benefits. In that context being prepared to consider reforms does not mean walking away from the principle of social protection but it means ensuring that social protection is sustainable into the future. Thankfully for us we are making the sort of future pension provision of which other countries are envious, even though our policy has been criticised in this House as we have not made use of the money for present requirements. However those, like the Deputy, who make the case for a social Europe and having social protection systems such as pensions in the future recognise the need to make that provision now. It is a question of balancing priorities.
The Deputy's wider question about the competitiveness of Europe and how we can ensure we do not move to what the Deputy would regard as a laissez-faire capitalist model is one of which I would also be mindful.
The Minister has gone right.
I am coming over to meet the Deputy.
