Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 30: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the nature of the recent talks she had with the US trade representative, Mr Bob Zoellick; if common agreement was reached on a possible return to negotiations on the stalled Doha trade round; and the position the European Union is taking with regard to the pursuance of the Singapore issues and development issues in the attempts to restart multilateral talks. [13910/04]

Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 32: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the special issues relating to EU-US co-operation in the field of scientific research which were discussed in her recent meeting with the US Energy Secretary, Mr. Spencer Abraham. [13904/04]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 44: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the matters discussed and conclusions reached at her meeting in Washington on 22 April 2004 with senior members of the US administration; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13818/04]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 30, 32 and 44 together.

The challenges facing European industry, including the concerns of many European leaders relating to trends in exports, jobs, lacklustre productivity performance and how Europe can address these problems, formed the focus of discussions of an informal meeting of the EU Competitiveness Ministers and industry representatives in Dromoland Castle, County Clare on 25 and 27 April 2004. The meeting examined Europe's productivity performance and suggested how Europe's performance in this regard could be strengthened by becoming more innovative. The object of this debate was to identify practical initiatives for creating a better environment for industry in Europe, and thereby creating more jobs and prosperity for EU citizens.

The agenda for the meeting included two thematic areas. The first session addressed the issues of creating a culture of innovation — staying competitive in a global market. The second session looked at frontiers in innovation — converting knowledge into value and research and industrial development.

In addition to Ministers from the 15 member states and three EU Commissioners, the ten new member states, together with representatives from Bulgaria, Turkey, Romania, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, were also invited. International business leaders and experts in research and innovation also attended and participated in discussions.

The structure of the meeting provided the opportunity for business leaders and Ministers to exchange ideas and explore strategies to improve European competitiveness. The proceedings of the meeting will help to inform and prioritise the work of the EU Competitiveness Council of Ministers and will go forward to the agenda of a formal Competitiveness Council in Brussels next week. A summary of the proceedings in Dromoland is available on the Irish Presidency website at www.eu2004.ie.

EU countries are naturally concerned about the impact of rising competition from developing countries on the competitiveness of Europe and its companies. This has led to concerns in many EU states about the relocation of industrial activities and jobs to more competitive locations, the so-called "de-industrialisation" process. Indeed, these concerns relate not just to low-skilled assembly activities, but also to higher-skilled and knowledge-intensive research and services activities.

The key message from industry leaders to the EU was that investment decisions will be influenced by the business climate that exists in the European Union, and particularly in the different member states. According to the business representatives the European Union needs lighter regulation of industry and business, and speedier decision-making for those operating in a global market-place. Ministers and industry leaders agreed that excessive and burdensome regulation together with gaps in the internal market leads to weak competition in Europe. Better regulation and the delivery of a true European Single Market in goods, services, people and capital is probably the single most important tool available to EU policy makers to support faster EU productivity growth.

The contribution of better regulation at European and national levels to improving competitiveness and productivity was acknowledged by the Heads of State and Government at the spring European Council in March earlier this year. The European Council invited member states to commit to accelerated implementation of national regulatory reform initiatives. The EU Competitiveness Council, which I will chair next Monday, will further examine progress on measures to improve the regulatory environment including strengthening the regulatory impact assessment process, simplification of legislation and examining the cumulative impact of regulation on industry.