Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

I wish the Minister of State and all involved success. This country has distinguished itself in the past in terms of the manner in which it has conducted its Presidency. This is the first time we will be taking part in the post-Lisbon arrangement of a trio of presidencies over an 18 month period so perhaps the Minister of State will inform us about the degree of interaction between her and her opposite numbers in Lithuania and Greece. Should we consider ourselves somewhat unfortunate that we are included with Greece as one of the trio of countries to work out the 18 month plan?

Could the Minister of State also outline the administrative structures that have been put in place across the three member states in order to co-ordinate the approach to adopt? I agree in principle with the priorities the Minister of State set out for us. Of particular importance to us will be the work in the area of the review of the Common Agricultural Policy and also the multi-annual financial framework programme which is unlikely to be finalised at the end of 2012. It is quite likely to extend into our period. Does the Minister of State consider that is something which would ultimately be to our benefit?

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