Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 400: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the Government's attitude to the UK paper on the economic partnership agreements currently 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. [19010/05]

Michael Ahern (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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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 under way between the EU and ACP states in this regard. As trade is a European Community competence, the European Commission 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 which sets out the UK view on how 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 ensures that the needs and concerns of developing countries are taken adequately into consideration during the substantive phase of these negotiations. More recently, in the context of the further progression of EPA negotiations, Commissioner for Trade, Mr. Peter 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.