Mr. John Murphy:

One of the questions the Chairman raised was about the priorities for 2014. He will appreciate that to a certain extent we are in the hands of the Presidency, which sets priorities and also reflects the position of proposals at a particular point in time. The Greek Presidency has identified a number of priorities. It will also have the complication of the European Parliament elections in May. It is trying to front-load a lot of work on legislation to ensure it can be finished before the Parliament finishes its term. It has identified a number of issues in the trade area. We have referred already to United States trade. There are ongoing trade negotiations with Japan, China, Russia, the ASEAN nations, South America and India. Of immediate interest is the prospect of improvement in negotiations on a Mercosur trade agreement.

On outstanding files, the Presidency is to seek an agreement on the contentious posting of workers directive. In the competitiveness area it will try to progress a product safety directive and a consumer product safety regulation; build on the work of the Lithuanian Presidency; conclude a first reading agreement on e-invoicing in public procurement; and the proposal on damages actions and anti-trust cases.

The European Council will consider the 2030 climate change framework at its March 2014 meeting. That will have significant implications for enterprise. The Council will also undertake an interim assessment of the EU 2020 targets at its meeting in March with regard to employment, research and development, climate education and social inclusion.

There are a number of issues on the research and innovation agenda including to finalise any outstanding legislative work on Horizon 2020 and a timely launch of the joint technology initiatives. It has some priorities on space also. The European semester is an important item on the agenda in the first six months of this year. That is enough to be getting on with. Mr. Murray might want to add to that in terms of our priorities.