Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 69: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position of the Irish Government in relation to the accession to the EU of Romania; the conditions the EU negotiations have demanded of the Romanian authorities concerning human rights and the need to dramatically improve the qualify of life for orphans and the young within Romania; if such matters are part of the comprehensive discussions currently ongoing between the EU and Romania to date on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2571/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Romania, together with Bulgaria, has signed a treaty of accession with the European Union, which is currently in the process of being ratified by EU member states. Ireland has traditionally been supportive of EU enlargement and we look forward to welcoming Romania into the European Union once the ratification and pre-accession procedures have been completed. The European Commission is currently monitoring Romania's preparations for accession to ensure that it can meet all the requirements of membership by the projected date of accession, 1 January 2007.

The Commission's annual monitoring report for Romania, reflecting the position as of 30 September 2005, was published on 25 October 2005. It provides a comprehensive overview of the progress made by Romania towards meeting the requirements of EU membership. A number of red flag issues have been identified and these will need to be urgently addressed by Romania before the date of accession.

In the general area of human rights and the protection of minorities, the Commission stated that further efforts were needed in advance of accession. With regard to the reform of child protection, the Commission noted that progress has been made with the closure of large, old-style institutions and the creation of modern child protection alternatives.

New legislation on children's rights and adoption entered into force in January 2005. According to the Commission report, this legislation brings Romania into line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the European Convention on Human Rights, and completes the reform of child protection. The progress achieved in the field of child protection in Romania has been widely acknowledged by the independent panel of experts on family law of EU member states in May 2005. It is regarded as satisfactory and in line with member states' best practices.

The Commission will closely monitor the steps taken to tackle outstanding pre-accession issues and will present a final recommendation to Council in April-May 2006. This will determine if Romania will be in a position to accede as planned on 1 January 2007. If sufficient progress has not been made, the Commission can recommend that the Council postpone the date of accession until 1 January 2008. However, the Commission has noted that, although urgent corrective action is needed in certain areas, Romania, like Bulgaria, still holds the key to its accession on time.

In a decision taken on 12 April 2005, the Government approved the terms of the treaty of accession for Bulgaria and Romania and authorised its signature, subject to ratification, on behalf of Ireland. The treaty was signed by the EU member states, together with Bulgaria and Romania, on 25 April 2005. To enter into force, the treaty must be ratified by Bulgaria, Romania and all the current member states by 31 December 2006. Ireland's ratification of the accession treaty will require an amendment to the European Communities Act 1972. Preparations for this are underway and it is hoped to put the relevant Bill before the Oireachtas in the coming months.