Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 110: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the latest meetings and debates regarding the proposed accession of Turkey to the European Union; the initiatives or suggestions Ireland has made in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34494/06]

Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 118: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of EU accession negotiations with Turkey; the outstanding issues for resolution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34417/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 209: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the situation with regard to Turkish accession to the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34840/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 110, 118 and 209 together.

Negotiations regarding Turkish accession to the European Union commenced on 3 October 2005. An extensive screening process is currently ongoing which closely scrutinises the compatibility of Turkish legislation with that of the EU. In all, there are 35 negotiating chapters in the accession process. After a Chapter has been screened, the EU can decide, on the basis of a proposal from the Commission, whether the negotiations in that sector can proceed. In June 2006, the European Council welcomed the provisional closure of the Science and Research chapter with Turkey. To date, this is the only Chapter to have been provisionally concluded. Very regular meetings take place at official level to examine and prepare the negotiating chapters in the accession process. Periodic meetings also take place at political level, the most recent being the EU Troika's meeting with Turkey's Foreign Minister, Mr. Abdullah Gul, which took place in Luxembourg on 16 October 2006.

A report on the progress of Turkey's accession negotiations is due to be published by the European Commission on 8 November 2006 and a debate on enlargement will take place at the November General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC). Turkey's Chief Negotiator with the EU, Mr. Ali Babacan, will visit Dublin on 2 November next when I will be meeting with him to review the negotiating process. He will also address the National Forum on Europe.

Ireland has always been supportive of the enlargement process from which we have consistently benefited. In approaching successive enlargement negotiations, 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 Turkey. While the negotiations with Turkey raise particularly difficult issues, it is important that the Union should abide by the commitments given to Turkey by successive European Councils. It is also essential that Turkey should fulfil its obligations, including the implementation of the Ankara Protocol.

Ireland has made it clear that, while we do not see Turkish recognition of the Republic of Cyprus as a condition for accession negotiations, it will be an absolute requirement for eventual Turkish membership of the Union. Meanwhile, it is vitally important that Turkey should normalise its relations with Cyprus as required by the Ankara Protocol.