Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 64: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his response to the draft services directive approved by the European Parliament on 16 February 2006; if the draft directive has been discussed at a meeting of the EU Competitiveness Council; if he will support the amendments agreed by the European Parliament on 16 February 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11261/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I join the relevant EU Commissioner in broadly welcoming the compromise amendments on the services directive which were agreed by the European Parliament on 16 February last. It is generally agreed that the amendments form a good basis for making progress on the directive. I formed that view on foot of the informal discussion on the matter that took place at the eve-of-Council dinner on 12 March, although I acknowledge that different member states will wish to raise various points of detail. There was no formal discussion per se at the Council, although the EU Presidency issued an oral report on the previous evening's discussions. The onus is on the Commission to come forward with a revised text, which is expected in early April.