Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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Question 365: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether Croatia's application to join the EU will be deferred after the accession of Bulgaria and Romania on 1 January 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30812/06]

Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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Question 366: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the status of Turkey's application to join the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30813/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 365 and 366 together.

Accession negotiations were opened with both Turkey and Croatia on 3 October 2005. An extensive screening process is currently underway, in which experts from the Commission explain EU rules to the two countries and examine their strategies for adopting and implementing them. It is expected to take until the end of 2006 to complete the screening process for the required 33 chapters.

After each chapter has been screened the EU can decide, on the basis of a proposal from the Commission, whether the negotiations in that sector can be opened. To date, the Commission has presented its reports to the Council on 13 negotiating chapters for Croatia and three for Turkey. Negotiations have been provisionally closed with both Turkey and Croatia on just one chapter (Science & Research). Although the screening process with both countries is currently running in parallel, these are two separate negotiations. At this stage, it is not possible to set a timeframe for the completion of the negotiations with either country.

Careful preparation of the Union's most recent enlargement has been a key factor in its success. With regard to the accession negotiations with Turkey and Croatia, the EU has confirmed that it will be firm in demanding that they fulfil all the requirements of membership. Both countries will be expected to maintain their commitment to the full implementation of human rights and other reforms.

The Union's capacity to absorb new members will also be an important consideration. If EU membership is to be further extended, the Union will need to ensure that it has the economic, political and institutional capacity to make this possible. As Turkey's accession could have substantial financial consequences, it is accepted that its negotiations can only be concluded after the establishment of the Union's financial framework for the period beyond 2013. Speaking on 26 September 2006, Commission President Jose Manuel Barosso suggested that any future enlargement following the accession of Bulgaria and Romania should be contingent on institutional reform so as to ensure that an enlarged Union could function in an efficient manner.

Ireland has always been supportive of the process of EU enlargement from which we have consistently benefited. It has been our policy to consider each candidate on the basis of its own merits. This principle will continue to underpin our approach to the negotiations with both Turkey and Croatia. Both countries benefit from the Department of Foreign Affairs' Bilateral Assistance Programme, which provides support for candidate countries as they prepare for the considerable challenges of EU membership.