strategy statement03 - 05

Presidency 2004 and Enlargement

Ensure that Ireland’s 2004 presidency is successful and well

managed with particular focus on the integration of the accession States from 1 May 2004;

Strengthen links with accession countries through, in

particular, a series of Ministerial meetings through 2003, linked with trade missions as appropriate.

Performance indicators: Ministerial or official level contacts with Accession Countries. Training programmes put in place for chairpersons of working groups. All chairs and delegates to participate in training programmes. Logistical preparations finalised and draft agendas for Councils prepared.

EU Constitutional and Institutional reform

Monitor and, as appropriate, contribute to, developments in

relation to Treaty change in the framework of the Convention on Europe and the IGC.

Performance indicator: Coordinating mechanism in the Department to ensure timely, effective and comprehensive responses to emerging draft texts.

Horizontal

Work to ensure the timely transposition of EU Directives,

where relevant in consultation with the Social Partners, and act as a driver in seeking to ensure that Ireland achieves the transposition targets for internal market measures set by the European Council;

Performance indicator: Ensure timely transposition of EU Directives falling within this Department’s responsibility.

Fulfil our obligations under the European Union (Scrutiny) Act

Performance indicator: Timely transmission of information to the Oireachtas.

Enterprise, Innovation, Growth

Maximise Ireland’s return from the new EU R&D Framework

Programme via new information and support structures;

Performance indicator: See Section 4.1.1

Maximise Irish involvement in the Multiannual Programme for

Enterprise and Entrepreneurship 2001-2005, particularly in relation to BEST projects under the Programme.

Performance Indicator: Number of projects in which Ireland participates.

Develop an appropriate response to the 2004 revision of EU

Regional State Aids Guidelines;

Performance indicator: Optimisation of the levels of regional aid payments to Irish industry.

Work constructively within the new EU Competitiveness

Council to ensure that Ireland’s concerns are reflected with particular reference to:

• The identification and development of action points relating to key strategic competitiveness issues for European enterprise;

• The Commission’s Green Paper on Entrepreneurship;