Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The conclusions as they relate to the Lisbon strategy for this year have followed the process I outlined in answers to questions last week. We have had two reports: one following our request last year for Commissioner Wim Kok to undertake an update for the mid-term review, and the Commission's comprehensive assessment of where the Lisbon Agenda currently stands. Ireland is by no means the worst in any of these areas under any of the indicators. I do not know where Deputy Sargent gets his figures but in terms of employment, social inclusion, welfare supports and dealing with marginalised communities, we are in a stronger position per capita, particularly regarding unemployment, the real indicator in these areas, and in terms of social provision.

It is disappointing that because of economic stagnation in 2001, 2002 and 2003, which continues in many countries, though thankfully not this one last year or this year, they have not been able to make real progress on the generation of sufficient jobs in the labour market, so that unemployment rates do not drift higher, as they are doing in France and Germany and increasingly in Italy.

Good economic growth generates the resources to put money into community development, poverty reduction and minority areas. We are continuing to put resources into these areas. They will not solve all problems over a short period but will bring significant improvements. Such improvements have also been made on a European level. The Commission is urging that more money be put into research and development to build a knowledge-based economy with high-quality jobs, an economy which will embrace ICT and other technologies to generate more employment and better quality jobs.

Deputy Sargent knows my view on nuclear issues. We are not a nuclear country and do not support nuclear development. We would like to see fewer resources put into it and to see less nuclear capability in existing member states. Resources made available through the EU Commission budget to help countries on the periphery of Europe, such as Ukraine and Belorussia, are not meant to assist them in their nuclear capabilities. However, some member states are deeply embedded in the nuclear industry and are unlikely to become less so in the foreseeable future. We do not support that situation. In recent years, Germany has set a target date for closing its nuclear plants and ridding itself of nuclear capability, a significant step with which Deputy Sargent and I agree.

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