Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together.

The national reform programme is an important element of the European semester. This is the annual cycle of enhanced economic and fiscal policy co-ordination at EU level. Each semester is commenced by the publication by the European Commission of the annual growth survey, which identifies economic priorities for member states for the period ahead.

In April, Ireland, along with other member states, submitted its national reform programme to the European Commission in conjunction with a stability programme update. The national reform programme provides an overview of structural reforms and policy actions under way, including in response to country-specific recommendations given to Ireland as part of the preceding year's European semester. It is co-ordinated by the Department of the Taoiseach with input from relevant Departments and agencies. Stakeholders were consulted and submissions were received from 11 groups before the programme was finalised. The Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Union Affairs was also invited to share its views on the European semester.

Ireland’s national reform programme for 2018 reported on policies in place to respond to the main challenges and imbalances Ireland faces, including those identified in the 2018 country report published by the European Commission and Ireland’s country-specific recommendations for 2017. The programme also reported on progress towards Ireland’s Europe 2020 targets in the areas of employment, research and development, climate change and energy, education and poverty reduction. Finally, the programme provided an update on Brexit and reported on the use of structural funds.

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