Press Release / Immediate 18 March 2004

As part of Irelands presidency of the EU, the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs , chaired by Dr. Michael Woods T.D. will be hosting a Conference of Chairpersons of Foreign Affairs Committees of EU parliaments, of the parliaments of the Acceding States and of the Candidate States.

The Conference will take place on 29/30 March in Dublin Castle.

The conference takes place at a very exciting time for Europe, with enlargement just a few short months away. The theme for the Conference is "Challenges for an enlarged EU in a rapidly developing world". Topics to be addressed include -

• The EU’s policies towards its neighbours after Enlargement

• Africa, the Forgotten Continent: prospects for stability and development

• Ireland’s EU Presidency Priorities

• Advancing the Lisbon Agenda

In addition to the Taoiseach, the Tanaiste and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Conference will also feature key-note speakers from the academic and business worlds and other sectors of Irish society.

Journalists who wish to attend the conference must be accredited with Dublin Castle. Queries regarding accreditation should be addressed to the Conference Secretariat in Leinster House at 01 618 3874.

An agenda for the Conference is attached.

ENDS /

Further Information: Michael Woods T.D., 01 618 3167

DRAFT PROGRAMME
OF
THE CONFERENCE OF CHAIRPERSONS
OF
FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEES
OF
EU PARLIAMENTS,
OF
THE PARLIAMENTS OF THE ACCEDING STATES
AND OF
THE CANDIDATE STATES

"Challenges for an Enlarged EU
in a rapidly developing world"

Dublin

28 - 30 March 2004

Sunday 28th March

8.00 p.m. Welcome reception at the Berkeley Court Hotel

Chairman’s welcome

The EU: the view from outside

Guest speakers:

• His Excellency James Kenny, Ambassador of the United States
• His Excellency Sha Hailin, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China
• His Excellency Vladimir Rakhmanin, Ambassador of the Russian Federation

Monday 29th March – Dublin Castle Conference Centre

9.15 Departure by coach from the hotels

Registration

10.00 Opening address by Dr. Michael Woods T.D., Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs.

10.15 Welcome address by An Ceann Comhairle, Dr. Rory O’Hanlon T.D. (Speaker of the House)

10.30 Coffee

10.50 The EU’s policies towards its neighbours after Enlargement

Speakers:

• Mr. Dick Roche T.D., Minister for State with responsibility for European affairs
• Mr. Alan Dukes, Director General of the Institute of European Affairs
• Professor Brigid Laffan, Jean Monnet Professor of European Integration, University College Dublin

Debate

12.20 Family Photograph

12.30 Address by An Taoiseach, Mr. Bertie Ahern T.D., Prime Minister of Ireland

13.00 Lunch at Castle Hall, Dublin Castle.

14.15 Africa, the Forgotten Continent: prospects for stability and development

Speakers:

• Mr. Tom Kitt T.D., Minister for State with responsibility for overseas development and human rights.
• Ms. Eveline Herfkens, the UN Secretary General’s Executive Coordinator for the Millennium Development Goals
• Mr. Tom Arnold, Chief Executive, Concern

Debate

15.45 Coffee

16.00 Ireland’s EU Presidency Priorities

Address by Mr. Brian Cowen T.D., Minister for Foreign Affairs

Debate

17.30 Return by coach to hotels and evening programme

19.30 Departure by coach from the hotels

Dinner hosted by Dr. Michael Woods T.D., Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs at Farmleigh House, former home of the Guinness family

22.30 Return by coach to the hotels

Tuesday 30th March – Dublin Castle Conference Centre

9.00 Advancing the Lisbon Agenda

Speakers:

• An Tanaiste, Ms. Mary Harney T.D., Deputy Prime Minister of Ireland
• Mr. David Begg, General Secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions
• Mr. P.R. O’Donoghue, Chief Executive Officer, Waterford Wedgwood PLC
• Mr. Roger Downer, President, University of Limerick

Debate

11.00 Coffee

11.30 Concluding remarks by Dr. Michael Woods T.D., Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs.

12.00 End of proceedings

Lunch at "The Crypt", Christchurch Cathedral