Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 347: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views that the EU has successfully completed the Lisbon agenda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39786/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Lisbon Strategy, launched by the European Council in March 2000, was an ambitious, multifaceted strategy which set the goal of Europe becoming "the most dynamic and competitive knowledge-based economy in the world by 2010 capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion and respect for the environment". In an evaluation carried out earlier this year the Commission found that the main targets, covering employment rate and spend on R and D, had not been met, but in mitigation noted that the end of the term of the Lisbon Strategy came at a time when the impacts of the economic crisis were being deeply felt in Europe as in other parts of the world. On the plus side the Commission study states that the Strategy had a role in mobilising and assisting the reforms that Europe needs to become more competitive, and that benefits from it could be identified in the business environment and consumer choice areas.

Ireland shares in much of that assessment. Member States engaged thoroughly with the Strategy during its term. As envisioned in 2000, it was extremely broad in scope and aspiration, and implementation posed a variety of challenges, including in relation to its diffuse focus and its governance structures. In 2005, the European Council reviewed the Strategy and agreed to refocus its efforts on jobs and growth and establish a much more streamlined process for delivery, which resulted in improved outcomes.

The December 2009 European Council noted that the Strategy had been useful in setting a framework for strengthening European competitiveness and encouraging structural reform, and drew the lesson from it that any new strategy would have to have a sharper focus and concentrate on a limited number of key objectives for achieving sustainable jobs and growth. Furthermore, the December 2009 European Council noted that "in view of the economic and social impact of the crisis, in view also of the challenges posed by ageing populations, increasing inequalities and climate change, a new approach is needed more than ever".

In response to the European Council's call, the European Commission conducted a public consultation process and in March 2010 presented a Communication entitled "Europe 2020: a strategy for smart sustainable and inclusive growth". The European Council, meeting in June 2010, finalised and launched a new European Strategy for Jobs and Growth, the Europe 2020 Strategy.

Ireland welcomes the tighter focus adopted by the Europe 2020 Strategy and the improved and strengthened governance structures for the Strategy which have been put in place. Under the new Strategy, Heads of State and Government, meeting in the European Council, will have a hands-on leadership role in overseeing its implementation over the coming decade, as they have had in agreeing its overall goals and EU level targets during the first half of this year. The reinforcement through action at EU level of growth and reform polices we are pursuing nationally should be an important part of the process.

With regard to the roll out and implementation of the new Europe 2020 Strategy, I would draw the Deputy's attention to the details set out in my reply to his Written PQ (39308/10) of Wednesday, 27 October 2010.