Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 367: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department have received a copy of any of the six regional impact assessment studies carried out for the European Commission in 1998 (details supplied); if it is the case that these studies showed the proposed economic partnership agreements will cause largely unfavourable results for ACP countries; if he will place those reports before the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14578/06]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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These studies were commissioned when the Cotonou Agreement between the EU and the African, Caribbean and Pacific, ACP, countries was being negotiated. Article 37 of that agreement expressly provides for the conclusion of Economic Partnership Agreements, EPAs, between the EU and ACP countries.

While it is true that the impact assessment studies in question highlight a number of areas of potential concern, such as weak institutional capacity and tariff revenue losses, they do not conclude that the EPAs would be largely unfavourable. Due to a number of limiting factors the studies may be said not to present a convincing case either for or against EPAs. The studies were largely desk-based, they did not cover all ACP countries and regions and complete and accurate data was difficult to obtain.

At the same time, the studies are a useful tool in that they draw attention to areas of concern. In this regard, the European Commission is committed to the ongoing review of the EPA process, through the Sustainability Impact Assessment, SIA, aspect of the negotiations. This is a project of consultation through which all stakeholders, including regional organisations, ACP representatives, civil society and business representatives, provide input.

At the General Affairs and External Relations Council in Luxembourg on 10 and 11 April, which I attended, the council invited the Commission to ensure that the scheduled review of the EPA negotiations in 2006 be formal and comprehensive. The review will be based on a regional approach and will examine both trade and development aspects of EPAs, including cross-cutting issues.

In this regard also, the Government welcomes Commissioner Mandelson's commitment to keep development at the heart of these negotiations. The Government will continue to follow the negotiations closely, and will emphasise they be conducted at all times in a manner sensitive to the needs of the ACP states. As requested, the Department of Foreign Affairs is making arrangements for the studies in question to be placed before the Houses of the Oireachtas.