strategy statement03 - 05

• The Commission Communication on Industrial Policy;

• The Strategy and Action Plan for Biotechnology;

• Implementation of the Internal Market Strategy for Services;

• Creation of the European Research Area and attainment of the 3% GDP target for Research and Development.

Performance indicator: Submit responses to Commission by end of consultation periods. Discuss / circulate position papers as appropriate with the relevant Committees and Working Groups.

Contribute effectively to the Spring European Council on the

Lisbon agenda;

Performance indicator: Department’s position reflected in Ireland’s input.

Ensure the competitiveness dimension of enterprise policy is

taken into account in the development of environmental policy at EU level;

Performance indicator: EU major environmental measures take competitive issues into account.

Actively participate in discussions on proposals to improve the

framework for the protection of intellectual property rights and ensure that the concerns of Irish business are met.

Performance indicator: Outcome of discussions reflecting to the greatest extent possible the needs of Irish industry.

Structural Funds Operational Programmes, existing and new

Maximise returns from European Social Fund and ERDF by

monitoring the financial and physical implementation of all EU co-funded Operational Programmes and Community Initiatives 2002-2006 in accordance with national and EU requirements.

Performance indicators: All Implementing Bodies to continue to be circularized with all eligibility guidelines and circulars within a fortnight of their promulgation.

Ireland to submit valid certified interim payment claims to the Commission no later than mid-October each year such that the Commission can process those claim(s) and Ireland secures its CSF receipts that same calendar year, and that the N+2 rule for drawdown of funds is respected.

Oversee the Mid Term Evaluation of the EHRD and Productive

Sector OPs and the EQUAL Community Initiative and input into the Mid Term Review of the NDP/CSF as a whole; and effect closure of the 1994-1999 programmes.

Performance Indicators: Ensure that the Mid Term Evaluation Reports are finalised and transmitted to the European Commission by 31st October 2003 along with the comments of each Monitoring Committee.

Proposals to be prepared, in response to the OP Evaluation reports, for input into the Mid Term Review and Performance Reserve allocation negotiations. Ensure that any agreed changes to the Programmes arising from the Mid Term Evaluations / Mid Term Review are implemented in the first half of 2004. Ensure that the regulatory requirements of submitting the Final Claims, Final Reports and “Article 8 Statements” on the 1994-1999 Programmes to the European Commission by 31st March 2003 is met and deal with any matters arising from these Reports. Arrange for the delivery of audits, in accordance with the annual National Audit Plans, in relevant organisations throughout the Structural Funds cascades.