Noel Treacy (Galway East, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 to 8, inclusive, together.

The Lisbon Agenda remains of strategic importance to the Irish and European economies and the quality of life of our citizens. The Government is fully committed to the Lisbon Agenda and has been supportive of the process from the outset. Last year, following a mid-term review of the Lisbon Agenda, the European Council decided to focus on the urgent priorities of growth and jobs. Each member state was required to prepare a national reform programme to address an integrated package comprising macroeconomic, microeconomic and employment policies. All member states are working together to address the key challenges, such as the need for greater research and innovation, creating a favourable environment for small business and jobs.

This approach is operating in tandem with a Europe-wide social partnership process, with all the main stakeholders working together to achieve the necessary pace of reform and progress. Member states are conscious of the need to keep an eye on the global picture. The European Union now competes directly with other regions of the world for mobile investment in knowledge and research and the external dimension of competitiveness must acknowledge this reality.

Ireland prepared its national reform programme in autumn 2005. The programme covers a three-year period to 2008 and will be reviewed annually. It recognises that the overall challenge is to sustain and improve Ireland's recent good economic performance. The programme includes a range of measures to ensure sound public finances, enhance our competitiveness and deliver sustainable employment. The various measures are drawn from the existing policy framework, including the programme for Government and the current social partnership agreement, Sustaining Progress. Implementation of Ireland's NRP is under way and the Departments of Finance and Enterprise, Trade and Employment have lead responsibility for the macroeconomic, microeconomic and employment guidelines, respectively.

Our social partnership process is a significant element of our overall strategy to sustain growth and job creation in accordance with the Lisbon Agenda. Negotiations on a new social partnership agreement are under way and any new policy directions or initiatives arising from these negotiations will be incorporated in the national reform programme over the three year timeframe.

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