Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 53: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the proceedings and business undertaken at the last European Council of Enterprise and Industry Ministers meeting he attended; when the next meeting of that Council is due; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32069/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I attended the EU Competitiveness Council meeting which took place on 25th September 2006. The Council held a formal debate on four key issues, namely: Innovation policy and competitiveness, nominal quantities for pre-packed products, Consumer Policy Action Programme 2007-2013 and development of the single market policy.

In relation to each of the items discussed, the following decisions and conclusions were reached:

Innovation policy and competitiveness:

The debate was informed by the recent Commission Communication which proposed ten priority actions in the context of a broad-based innovation policy strategy covering both the technological and non-technological aspects of innovation and research. The Council welcomed the Finnish Presidency's emphasis on innovation as a key policy area to be developed. Ministers discussed the ten point action plan and agreed with the need to adopt a global perspective when developing innovation policy and with the role of innovation in delivering the growth and jobs agenda. The Finnish Presidency will aim for conclusions on innovation policy at the December Competitiveness Council. A lunchtime discussion also took place with Commissioner Kroes in relation to state aid for innovation.

Nominal quantities for pre-packed products:

The Council reached a political agreement on laying down nominal quantities for pre-packed products at EU level.

Consumer Policy Action Programme 2007-2013:

The Council reached political agreement on an amended proposal establishing a Programme of Community action in the field of consumer policy for the period 2007-2013. The Programme contains two main objectives:

(a) To ensure a high level of consumer protection, notably through improved evidence, better consultation and better representation of consumers' interests and

(b) To ensure the effective application of consumer protection rules notably through enforcement cooperation, information, education and redress.

Development of the single market policy

The Council held an orientation debate on the development of the Single Market policy on the basis of a set of questions prepared by the Presidency. The Council also took note of the information provided by Commissioner McCreevy on the preparation of the Commission's review of its policy for the Internal Market and on the Internal Market Scoreboard No. 15 from July 2006.

The Commission recently conducted a wide-ranging consultation on the state of the Internal Market and directions for the future. This consultation resulted in a number of recommendations covering subjects such as fostering market dynamism and innovation, better regulation, better implementation and enforcement, taking better account of the global context and investing more in information and communication.

The Council also adopted common positions without debate on a draft Decision establishing the 7th research framework programme (FP7) 2007-2013 and on the Programme "Europe for Citizens 2007-2013" and on a draft Regulation on the law applicable to non-contractual obligations ("Rome 11"). It also adopted a Decision approving the conclusion of an international agreement for implementing the ITER fusion energy project.

The Council also took note of information provided by the Presidency and the Commission on:

(a) Progress on the 7th Framework Programme for research, its Rules for Participation and its Specific Programmes;

(b) The 2005 implementation report on retaining and attracting researchers to the European Research Area.

(c) 6th Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Conference on Industry. Rhodes (21/22 September 2006)

(d) Communication from the Commission on "halting the loss of biodiversity by 2010 and beyond — sustaining ecosystem services for human well-being"

(e) State of implementation of the Consumer Protection Co-operation Regulation (EC 2006/2004)

(f) Preparatory work on the meeting of the National Lisbon Coordinators to be held in Lisbon on 5/6 October 2006

Overall, I believe that the Council has usefully drawn together the range of policy instruments and actions which can contribute to a more competitive and innovative EU. I welcome the focus being placed on innovation and the removal of barriers which can impede innovation such as burdensome or unnecessary rules.

At the next Competitiveness Council meeting, which is scheduled to take place in Brussels on the 4th and 5th December, 2006, the Finnish Presidency intends to continue the debate on the priority themes of innovation and competitiveness, the external aspects of competitiveness and better regulation. I particularly look forward to further action in relation to the non-technological aspects of innovation which will be discussed at future meetings of the Council.