Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 13, inclusive, together.

I travelled to three European capitals between 26 and 28 February. On 26 February, I travelled to Ljubljana for a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Janša. Slovenia currently holds the European Presidency. During our discussions, we covered a wide range of issues including bilateral relations between our two countries, Slovenia's preparations for the spring European Council and the reform treaty. We also discussed developments following Kosovo's declaration of independence on 17 February and the wider issue of stability in the western Balkans, as well as deployment of the UN mandated EU peacekeeping force in the Republic of Chad to which both Ireland and Slovenia are troop contributors. While in Ljubljana, I paid a call on President Türk. Developments in Kosovo were the main topic of our conversation.

On 27 February, I travelled to Austria to meet Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer. Our discussions concentrated on EU issues including the ratification of the reform treaty and developments following Kosovo's declaration of independence. Chancellor Gusenbauer and I also discussed the UN mandated EU peacekeeping mission to Chad, in which Austria is also participating. I called on President Fischer and our discussions again centred on key EU issues.

Separately while in Vienna, I addressed the Permanent Council of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe. In my address, I recalled the OSCE's significant achievements and the positive changes in European security to date. I signalled Ireland's strong desire that the OSCE should continue to be an important actor in the areas of security, conflict prevention and resolution, democracy and human rights.

On 28 February, I travelled to Poland for a meeting with Prime Minister Donald Tusk. This was my first bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Tusk since his election and it provided us with an opportunity to review recent and rapid developments in bilateral relations between Ireland and Poland. We also discussed a range of current EU economic and foreign policy issues including the reform treaty and Kosovo. We exchanged views on the peacekeeping operation in Chad, to which Poland is contributing significantly. While in Warsaw, I paid a call on President Lech Kaczynski and our discussions centred on foreign policy issues. I also attended a reception at the Irish Embassy for the local Irish-Polish business community, where I heard first-hand of the growing links and the potential for further development of the relationship between Irish and Polish businesses.

Overall, my meetings in the three countries proved very useful both in terms of bilateral relations and in deepening contacts within the EU.

On 13 March, I travelled to Brussels for the spring European Council. I was accompanied by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern. As I will make a statement to the House on the Council later today, I will at this stage merely give a summary account of its proceedings. The spring European Council focused on the Lisbon strategy for jobs and growth and provided Heads of States and Governments with their first opportunity to discuss the European Commission's package of draft legislative proposals on climate and energy, which was published last January. The Council reaffirmed its commitment to the targets agreed last year. Financial market stability was also discussed. At the Council, I indicated that Ireland remains fully committed to working with the other member states on an ambitious programme to address climate change and on seeking to persuade the wider international community to take action. I had no bilateral meetings in the margins of the Council.

On 10 March, I met with Prime Minister Dung of Vietnam. During our meeting, a memorandum of understanding on development assistance and an agreement on double taxation were signed between our two countries. The double taxation agreement should significantly assist future Irish business and investment in Vietnam and help to facilitate trade between the two countries. During our meeting, we also discussed UN reform, Irish Aid's programme in Vietnam, human rights, the cluster munitions conference to be held in Dublin later this year and the EU-Vietnam partnership co-operation agreement.

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