Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 16, inclusive, together.

On 20 October I attended the informal meeting of EU Heads of State or Government in Lahti, Finland and the working dinner that followed with the President of the Russian Federation, Mr. Vladimir Putin. The meeting in Lahti was not a full European Council and did not, therefore, adopt formal conclusions. However, it provided a useful forum where the Heads of State or Government could discuss in depth the key areas of innovation and energy. We also had shorter discussions on the position in Darfur and on immigration policy. While I had no formal bilateral meetings in Lahti, I did have brief discussions with a number of my colleagues including the President of Cyprus, Mr. Tassos Papadopoulos and Prime Minister Blair. The meeting with President Putin was timely and the European Union spoke with one voice on energy and the need for Russia to more actively address human rights issues. I have received a draft agenda for the European Council meeting on 14-15 December. The Council will deal with enlargement including the absorption capacity of the European Union, justice issues, innovation and energy, and external relations.

I travelled to Brussels on 8 November for a meeting with the College of European Commissioners. In advance of the meeting, I had a short tête-À-tête with the President of the European Commission, Mr. José Manuel Barroso. Following the meeting with the College of Commissioners, I also attended a working lunch hosted by President Barroso. Our discussions were very useful and constructive. I underlined to the Commission the absolutely central role the EU has played and continues to play in Ireland's economic and social transformation. We discussed the current state of play in respect of the draft European constitution. We also had a useful exchange on competitiveness and I explained the Irish Government's position on Aer Lingus, stressing the necessity, in our view, of competition in the Irish market. I briefed President Barroso on the situation in Northern Ireland. In response, President Barroso informed me that the Commission had been following the situation in Northern Ireland closely. He expressed his hope that all parties would give their support to the St. Andrews Agreement and he extended an invitation to the nominees for First Minister and Deputy First Minister to visit Brussels after 24 November. I also thanked the Commission for supporting official and working language status for the Irish language.

On 29 November, I travelled to Brussels to address a plenary session of the European Parliament. In my address to the European Parliament, I underlined the importance of the constitutional treaty to the future of Europe. I outlined what I feel are the greatest challenges facing Europe including competitiveness, globalisation, external relations and the need for Europe to connect better with its citizens. My address to the European Parliament has been laid before both Houses. In addition to addressing the Parliament, I had an informal meeting with the Irish MEPs, from North and South. I also had a very good meeting with President Borrell. We touched on current issues of Irish interest, including according official and working language status for the Irish language from January. I had a useful lunch with representatives of the various parties in the Parliament.

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