Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his objectives and priorities during Ireland's Presidency of the Council of Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41552/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Irish Presidency will come at a critical time for Ireland in terms of our national recovery - we will prioritise jobs and growth as a key objective in the six months ahead. As the Presidency approaches, the issues that will be high on the EU agenda are becoming clearer, and across Government, Ministers are working to identify their key priorities. These will be outlined in detail in the Irish Presidency programme that will be published in December 2012. As Presidency, the Irish Government is focusing on measures to boost Europe's global competitiveness, stimulate sustainable economic growth and, above all, to promote jobs. This will be delivered through high-level political engagement and dedicated work to reinforce the EU legislative agenda.

Our Presidency will be about delivery and implementation. The Government will seek agreement on those aspects of the Multiannual Financial Framework that remain outstanding following the Cypriot Presidency and will take forward the necessary implementing legislation to cover the 2014-2020 period. The EU should be fit for purpose and properly resourced to that end. We will work to ensure that.

It will be critically important for Ireland and for the future development of the EU that reform of the Common Agriculture Policy and of the Common Fisheries Policy is advanced. Progress should also be made on initiatives such as Horizon 2020 (the EU's future framework programme for research and innovation) which will be crucial for the EU's economic development. This week the Government will meet the College of Commissioners in Brussels to discuss Ireland's Presidency programme and how priority issues across a range of sectors will be advanced.