Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 158: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the ongoing discussions at EU level with regard to the implementation of the Lisbon Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7616/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Implementation of the Lisbon Strategy is a priority for the Government. The strategy covers a wide range of areas under the headings of competitiveness and employment, social policy and the environment which fall within the responsibility of individual Departments. The Department of the Taoiseach has overall responsibility for coordinating Ireland's approach.

The Spring European Council on 22 to 23 March 2005 will focus on the mid-term review of the Lisbon Strategy. Both the high level group under the chairmanship of former Netherlands Prime Minister Wim Kok which was established at the initiative of the Irish Presidency to review the Lisbon Strategy and the European Commission in its recent report to the Spring European Council have advocated a greater focus on growth, employment and competitiveness to achieve key Lisbon objectives. The Commission recommends action to complete the internal market, prioritise innovation and research and development and make progress on better regulation. These are all areas that we have prioritised at national level. The Commission's report recognises the need to improve implementation of Lisbon at national level and has in this regard proposed that each member state should draw up a national action programme to achieve more coordinated delivery of Lisbon reforms.

Like other member states, Ireland is in the process of examining the Commission's proposals in detail. We are generally supportive of the Commission's approach which builds on the work of previous Presidencies including our own and highlights the need for action now. We are open to the proposal for national action programmes but are of the view that the format should be flexible so that member states can shape them to suit their national needs.

We see the mid-term review as an opportunity to provide the impetus for concentrating on delivering more growth and jobs which in turn will help to advance the environmental and social pillars of the Lisbon Strategy. The work consequent on the Commission's recent communications on the review of the Sustainable Development Strategy and on a new social policy agenda will also provide opportunities for advancing the social and environmental dimensions of Lisbon.

The various sectoral Councils including ECOFIN, the Competitiveness Council, the Environment Council and the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council will be providing their inputs to the discussion at the Spring European Council in the period immediately ahead. The General Affairs and External Relations Council on 16 to 17 March 2005 will finalise the preparation of the draft European Council conclusions on the mid-term review.