strategy statement03 - 05

Ensure that the interests of Irish consumers are reflected in

legislative and other initiatives agreed in implementing the Community Strategy for Consumer Policy 2002-2006 so that they derive full benefits from the continuing development of the Internal Market. The provisions of prospective Directives on Fair Trading Practices and on Consumer Policy Enforcement Cooperation will be particularly important in this regard.

Performance indicator: Interests of Irish consumers reflected in initiatives agreed in Community Strategy for Consumer Policy, deriving full benefits from the continuing development of the Internal Market, particularly with regard to the provisions of prospective Directives on Fair Trading Practices and on Consumer Policy Enforcement Cooperation.

Actively participate in discussions on EU Common Commercial

Policy to ensure that Ireland’s concerns are met.

Performance indicator: All Irish concerns arising during the period dealt with in EU CCP discussions.

Monitor Ireland’s compliance with Single Market Regulations;

Performance indicator: Quarterly reports on level of compliance.

Actively participate in the Commission “Solvit” programme on

the removal of barriers within the Single Market;

Performance indicator: Effective response under “Solvit” to trade barrier complaints.

Actively engage in discussions on the reform of the EU Merger

Regulation.

Performance indicator: New Merger Regulation to be agreed and adopted before the 2004 Spring European Council and to take effect from 1 May 2004.

International Trade and Investment

Maximize the benefits to Ireland of a successful conclusion to

the Doha Round of trade negotiations especially in relation to market access, services, investment, intellectual property and trading rules;

Performance indicator: Facilitate the expansion of Irish trade, taking advantage of the further liberalisation in multilateral trade rules (Doha round scheduled to conclude 1 Jan 05).

Pursue an interdepartmental strategy aimed at ensuring

maximum Irish input to and output from the Doha negotiating process both at EU and international levels;

Performance indicator: Interdepartmental coordination pre all EU and International meetings (including Memo for Government pre-September WTO meeting) with agreement on coherent approach.

Advance Irish and EU goals arising from the World Trade

Organisation Ministerial Meeting in September 2003, through a proactive, focused and target driven Presidency.

Performance indicator: Efficient and effective management of the EU Common Commercial Policy process towards reaching agreement on trade policy approach (reflecting Irish concerns) to the issues under negotiation.