Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 212: To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the priorities of the Belgian Presidency of the European Union, in particular that the financial crisis and its impact means moving towards a more economic form of Government [36095/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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As President of the Council of the EU, Belgium's role mainly consists of organising and managing the work of each Council configuration, including the ECOFIN Council, through its competent Ministers. Under Lisbon Treaty rules, Belgium forms part of the Trio Presidency with Spain and Hungary and would have collaborated with both these member states in the formulation of their 18-month Trio Presidency Programme. The Presidency of the Council ensures that the Council runs smoothly, chairs and directs discussions, tries to reconcile divergent points of view and formulates proposals for compromises so that decisions can be taken. The Presidency also plays an important role in negotiations with the other institutions of the Union, especially the European Parliament which, like the Council, has to give its assent to most European legislation. Belgium acknowledges in its Presidency Programme that the financial crisis and economic downturn and the related deterioration in public finances now require the Stability and Growth Pact to be strengthened. Accordingly, the priorities of the Belgian Presidency include ensuring progress on measures aimed at reinforcing the Pact, improving economic governance and broadening macroeconomic surveillance. This is being pursued through the high level Task Force, chaired by President Van Rompuy which was established by the European Council in March 2010, and through the work of the Eurogroup, the ECOFIN Council and the European Commission. Proposals in this area include strengthening the Stability and Growth Pact, improving economic governance and broadening the EU's macroeconomic surveillance. This work has been informed by the Communications on enhancing economic policy co-ordination published by the European Commission on 12 May and 30 June 2010 and by the related legislative proposals which it published on September 29. These latter proposals are subject to the normal process of consultation with national parliaments and with the European Parliament. The Van Rompuy Task Force is due to report to the European Council of 28-29 October.

I support the work of the Task Force and the broad consensus that improvements are needed in the economic governance of the EU, taking account of the EU's legal framework and the circumstances and challenges facing individual Member States. Ireland is contributing to discussions in this area and I look forward to the forthcoming report of the Task Force.