Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 56: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans for the Presidency of the European Council in 2013. [31198/11]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 57: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has developed early priorities for the Presidency of the European Council in 2013. [31199/11]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 58: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has put in place arrangements to ensure regular contact with the leaders of the other members of the troika for our EU presidency. [31200/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 to 58, inclusive, together.

In 2013, Ireland will hold the Presidency for the seventh time. As in the past, our objective will be to demonstrate that Ireland is a strong supporter of the European project and a committed member that is capable of contributing to progress on the EU's wide agenda. Ireland will adopt a determined approach to ensure that its stewardship of the Council contributes to tackling the key challenges facing the Union, and promotes smart, sustainable and inclusive growth and jobs.

As with all EU Presidencies, Ireland's Presidency will, to an extent, be shaped by proposals and polices already under consideration. The European Commission is expected to publish its next annual Work Programme shortly and this will highlight many of the issues that are likely to figure prominently on the EU agenda during the Irish Presidency in 2013. Work has begun within Government Departments and the Irish Permanent Representation in Brussels to identify issues that are likely to be priorities in 2013.

National priorities will also figure prominently on Ireland's Presidency agenda that are important to all EU citizens. These will include the next Multiannual Financial Framework which sets out the EU budget after 2013, and linked to this debate, the future of the Common Agriculture Policy and Common Fisheries Policy. A key focus for Ireland will continue to be the economic and financial situation and how we secure competitiveness, growth and jobs. Our Presidency, falling as it does in the first half of the year, coincides with the European Semester and the process of coordinating Member States' economic and budgetary policies. The Government will also be placing a strong emphasis on research and innovation and securing agreement on Horizon 2020; the future framework programme for research and innovation. Climate change and environmental issues are also likely to figure prominently on the EU agenda.

Negotiations have also begun at official level with Ireland's Trio partners, Lithuania and Greece, on the common Trio programme to be published in December 2012. I have met with my Lithuanian counterpart on two occasions in recent months but have also proposed a joint Trio meeting with the Lithuanian and Greek Trio Foreign Ministers to discuss Presidency issues. The Minister of State for European Affairs has met with her both her Greek and Lithuanian counterparts in recent months. The frequency of meetings and contacts at all levels will continue to increase over the coming months.