Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 March 2010
112 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach if he will push for the adoption by the European Council at its meeting on 25 and 26 March 2010 of a commitment from each member state to reduce by 25% the number of its own population living in poverty by 2020 as a core target to be contained in the EU 2020 Strategy. [12622/10]
Amharc ar fhreagra113 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach if he will push for the adoption by the European Council at its meeting on 25 and 26 March 2010 of annual or biannual poverty reduction targets leading up to 2020 in the EU 2020 Strategy. [12623/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 113 together.
One of the agenda items for the discussion by Member States at the forthcoming Spring European Council at the end of March is the proposed successor to the Lisbon Strategy for Growth and Jobs, often referred to as EU2020 or the Europe 2020 Strategy.
Following a consultation process the European Commission published a Communication on this strategy on 3 March. The Commission Communication aims to guide the European Union out of the economic crisis and turn Europe into a smart, sustainable and inclusive economy. The Commission's proposed approach includes the reduction of poverty as one of the five headline targets.
Detailed analysis of the implications of the proposals under consideration is being undertaken and discussion is ongoing in the lead-up to the Spring European Council. It is not clear at this stage therefore what will be tabled for discussion at the Spring European Council. Ireland supports inclusion of a target to capture progress towards greater social cohesion. The precise position will depend on what emerges from the ongoing analysis and preparatory discussions.
