Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 316: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position his Department has taken in EU discussions on the services directive; the timetable for the approval of the directive at the Council of Ministers; and if he will make public in advance the Government's position on amendments to the directive that come from the European Parliament. [4406/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I set out the position on this proposed directive comprehensively in the course of the recent Private Member's motion on the matter. I refer the Deputy to the Official Report of 25 and 26 January 2006.

The European Parliament is scheduled to complete its first reading of the Commission's proposal later this month. The Parliament is expected to propose several amendments to the proposal. These will be taken into account by the European Commission, which may then bring forward a revised proposal for consideration by the Parliament and the Council of Ministers. In that event the Government will formulate its position on the Commission's amendments after full consultation with stakeholders. I am prepared to be as open as possible on the Government's position, bearing in mind, however, that a negotiation process is involved here.