Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 270: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the Government's views on the UK paper on the economic partnership agreements being negotiated by the European Commission with 77 African, Caribbean and Pacific countries; if, in accordance with the concern expressed by the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Government will join with the UK and other like-minded Governments with a view to changing the EU position on EPAs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14133/05]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 271: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has satisfied himself that consideration of EPAs at the 133 committee meeting of 6 May 2005 gives Ireland and other member states sufficient time to consider the UK paper on EPAs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14236/05]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 272: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he supports the view advocated by the UK Government in the context of the EPA negotiations that the EU should propose within the WTO that Article XXIV of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, should be reviewed as suggested by the Commission for Africa, in order to reduce the requirement for reciprocity and increase the focus on development priorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14237/05]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 273: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he supports the view advocated by the UK Government in the context of the EPA negotiations that the EU should offer ACP countries an alternative to an EPA which would provide no worse market access to the EU than is currently enjoyed under Cotonou preferences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14238/05]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 274: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he supports the view advocated by the UK Government in the context of the EPA negotiations that investment, competition and government procurement should be removed from the negotiations unless specifically requested by an ACP regional negotiating group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14239/05]

Michael Ahern (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 270 to 274, inclusive, together.

EPAs are, first and foremost, instruments for development that will foster the smooth and gradual integration of ACP States into the world economy. Substantive negotiations are currently underway between the EU and ACP states in this regard. As trade is a Union competence, it is the European Commission which conducts the negotiations on the EPAs between the EU and six regional groupings of ACP States on behalf of member states on the basis of an agreed mandate. The Commission provides the Council with updates on the progress of the negotiations.

I have read with interest the recent position paper that sets out the UK view on how best the commitment to put development at the heart of the EPA negotiations can be best delivered. I agree with the basic thrust of an approach to the EPAs which ensure that the needs and concerns of developing countries are taken adequately into consideration during the substantive phase of these negotiations. Indeed, more recently, in the context of the further progression of EPA negotiations, Commissioner Mandelson has indicated that he is putting the EPA process under continuing review, with a new review mechanism to ensure that at every stage in the negotiations that the development dimension is put first. I fully support this approach by the commissioner.

Ireland is actively following the developments in the EPA negotiations process and will continue to do so. In so far as the discussions within the EU Council, including the Article 133 committee, are concerned, Ireland will have full regard to the content of the UK paper. In all of these discussions, we will be insisting that the Commission discharge its mandate in accordance with the provisions of the Cotonou Agreement and in a manner which is sensitive to the particular concerns of ACP states.