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Da´Il E´Ireann Vol. 698 Tuesday, No. 3 15 December 2009 DI´OSPO´ IREACHTAI´ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES DA´ IL E´ IREANN TUAIRISC OIFIGIU´ IL—Neamhcheartaithe (OFFICIAL REPORT—Unrevised) Tuesday, 15 December 2009. Ceisteanna—Questions Taoiseach ………………………………… 389 Minister for Foreign Affairs Priority Questions …………………………… 399 Other Questions …………………………… 410 Adjournment Debate Matters …………………………… 414 Leaders’ Questions ……………………………… 414 Request to move Adjournment of Da´il under Standing Order 32 ……………… 422 Order of Business ……………………………… 422 Referral to Select Committee: Motion ……………………… 437 Orders of Reference of Committee: Motion ……………………… 438 Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Orders for Second Stage …………………………… 438 Second Stage ……………………………… 438 Private Members’ Business Social Welfare Cuts: Motion ………………………… 456 Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (resumed) … … 476 Adjournment Debate Hospital Services ……………………………… 505 Medical Cards ……………………………… 507 Private Rented Accommodation ………………………… 509 Relocation of VEC Centre ………………………… 512 Questions: Written Answers …………………………… 515 DÁIL ÉIREANN ———— Dé Máirt, 15 Nollaig 2009. Tuesday, 15 December 2009. ———— Chuaigh an Ceann Comhairle i gceannas ar 2.30 p.m. ———— Paidir. Prayer. ———— Ceisteanna — Questions. ———— European Council Meetings. 1. Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Taoiseach if he has received an agenda for the proposed EU summit on 19 November 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41721/09] 2. Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the special European Council meeting on 19 November 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42727/09] 3. Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the outcome of the EU summit held on 19 November 2009. [43233/09] 4. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the outcome of the EU summit of 19 November 2009. [44310/09] 5. Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Taoiseach if he has received a final agenda for the European Council meeting on 10 and 11 December 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45391/09] 6. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his participation in the European Council meeting of 10 and 11 December 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46883/09] 7. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Taoiseach his role in the recent appointment of the President of the European Council and of the high representative; and if he will make a state- ment on the matter. [46821/09] The Taoiseach: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 7, inclusive, together. I attended the informal European Council in Brussels on Thursday, 19 November. The meet- ing was convened by the Swedish Presidency to discuss the appointment of the President of the European Council and the high representative of the Union for foreign affairs and security policy. As is well known by now, the European Council agreed that Herman Van Rompuy be 389 Ceisteanna — 15 December 2009. Questions [The Taoiseach.] appointed as President of the European Council and that Catherine Ashton be appointed high representative. I welcome these appointments which provide clarity as we embark upon manag- ing our Union under the altered rules of the Lisbon treaty. The President of the European Council will be tasked with bringing greater coherence to the European Council’s work, while the high representative faces the challenge of building up the new European external action service, which will represent Europe abroad. I wish both Mr. Herman Van Rompuy and Ms Catherine Ashton every success in their new roles and I assure them of the Irish Government’s full support as they assume their new responsibilities. I attended the European Council meeting in Brussels on 10 December and 11 December. This was the first meeting of the European Council since the entry into force of the Lisbon treaty. The Council discussed the various implementation measures, such as the establishment of the European external action service, on which Ms Catherine Ashton is invited to bring forward proposals next year. The Council also invited the European Commission to present a legislative proposal on the citizens’ initiative with a view to its adoption in the first half of 2010. Most of the discussion at the Council was taken up with economic, financial and employment matters, and with climate change in light of the Copenhagen conference. With regard to the economic circumstances, the Council noted there are signs of stabilisation and agreed on the importance of developing credible and co-ordinated strategies, within the framework of the Stability and Growth Pact, for exiting from the broad-based stimulus pack- ages once recovery is fully secured. The Council agreed a new structure for financial supervision in Europe, including three new supervisory authorities for banks, insurance and securities markets. It will enter into force in 2010. These new supervisory authorities are intended to be able to act effectively in the event of financial emergencies and ensure the consistent application of EU law. The matter now goes to the European Parliament and I look forward to a successful and early outcome, given what I believe is a near universally shared desire to see this new regime in force as soon as possible. There was a preliminary discussion on the nature of the successor to the Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs, which is expected to be known as “EU 2020”. However, a broad cross-cutting strategy such as this requires the full input and engagement of the new Commission. Therefore, a fuller discussion is needed at political level. President Van Rompuy signalled this would be among the subjects for discussion at an informal meeting of the European Council in February. For our part, we will be emphasising, among other things, the importance of sustaining and creating employment. The Council discussed the climate change negotiations in Copenhagen and reconfirmed the position it agreed at the October Council regarding a commitment to step up to 30% emission reductions provided that other nations make comparable commitments. The Council also agreed that the Union and its member states would contribute \2.4 billion annually to fast- start financing for the years 2010 to 2012. Ireland is very supportive of fast-start financing and I have made a commitment on behalf of Ireland for an amount of up to \100 million over three years. This is a very significant contribution at any time, but especially in the budgetary context we face today. It reflects our fair share of the Union’s efforts and is consistent with our long- standing commitment to contribute on that basis. The Council also adopted a new multi-annual programme, known as the Stockholm prog- ramme, for the further development of an area of freedom, security and justice for the years 2010 to 2014. We can expect to see improvements in the coming five-year period in mutual recognition and in strengthening co-operation on law enforcement, border management, civil protection and disaster management. 390 Ceisteanna — 15 December 2009. Questions On external relations, the Council adopted conclusions on the Eastern Partnership and the Union for the Mediterranean, in addition to declarations on Iran and Afghanistan. Deputy Eamon Gilmore: Some surprise was expressed throughout Europe over the identities of the new President of the European Council and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Was the Taoiseach consulted on the two appointments before the meeting on 19 November? When was he first informed about them? What is the anticipated size of the European external action service, which is to be under the control of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Ms Catherine Ashton? How will it be composed? I wish to turn to the fund of \100 million to be provided for climate change measures. Will the Taoiseach assure the House that the Irish contribution to the fund will not come out of the existing development aid budget but be additional moneys? The December summit discussed measures relating to employment and support for those losing their jobs. What specific measures were discussed? The Taoiseach: The Swedish EU Presidency had been involved in a series of discussions in the days previous to the Council meeting. Having listened to all member states, it put forward one nomination for the post of Presidency of the Council of the European Union based on the broadest consensus available. Similarly, it put one nomination for the post of High Representa- tive of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. One would have been notified about it informally prior to the meeting beginning. The formal position was then put at the meeting. A detailed proposal on the size of the external action service must come from the high representative in early 2010. That will be then considered by the Council for the purposes of developing the service. It will comprise representatives from all member states but it will have to be worked out proportionately. A commitment was sought by the EU Presidency for Ireland to make a fair, reasonable and proportioned contribution to the amount for the fast-start climate finance package. In dis- cussions with the presidency, it was confirmed that an amount of approximately \100 million over three years would be regarded as fair and reasonable on Ireland’s part. The Government will have to decide as to how this will be funded in due course. The figure has been put down as a negotiating position by the EU as it goes into the final week of the Copenhagen summit to indicate the seriousness of the EU governments’ intent. It will involve additional moneys but it may also involve some existing moneys that are yet to be decided when programmes are reoriented in the future.
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