Ireland was a recovering country aiming to drive the EU’s recovery for the next six months, its Ambassador to Malta, Jim Hennessy, said yesterday.
EU Presidency preparations involve 98 per cent perspiration and two per cent innovation
Stability, jobs and growth were Ireland’s priority as holder of the presidency of the EU Council until June 30, he said.
Speaking at a public dialogue at Europe House, in Valletta, Mr Hennessy set out the legislative and other priorities Ireland will be pushing for Europe.
He said one of its main priorities was a swift conclusion to negotiations on the multiannual financial framework (MFF) for 2014-2020. This will set out the EU’s broad spending plans and approximate financial contributions of member states for the next seven years.
EU leaders were deeply divided when they met to discuss the 2014-2020 budget last November.
Many net contributors want the EU budget to be cut to reflect domestic austerity measures while net beneficiaries are less keen.
Mr Hennessy acknowledged it would be difficult to bridge the gaps but said: “Ireland will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to bring all 27 countries on to the same page.”
Ireland will also place a strong emphasis on securing agreement on cohesion funds and the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. Mr Hennessy said he recognised the importance of cohesion funds for Malta and other smaller states because such money powered Ireland’s “extraordinary” economic growth when it joined the then European Economic Community back in 1973.
The ambassador also expressed hope that reforming CAP – often blamed for draining EU resources – would include new rules on funding the policy but did not elaborate.
The Irish Embassy is organising a cultural programme in Malta to mark its presidency, starting with a concert by Irish soprano Virginia Kerr at St Paul’s Anglican Cathedral, in Valletta on February 22.
Asked if he had any advice for when Malta holds the EU presidency in 2017, Mr Hennessy joked that preparations involved “98 per cent perspiration and two per cent innovation”.
Foreign Minister Francis Zammit Dimech, who arrived more than an hour late for the dialogue due to a Cabinet meeting, said Malta had a representative in Dublin to learn from the Irish presidency experience.
He reiterated the Government’s opposition to a proposed financial transaction tax in the EU, unless this was introduced globally.
Dr Zammit Dimech said Malta felt that, if the system was adopted by just some EU member states, it would cause distortion in the internal market. “However, we will not stand in the way of those member states that want enhanced cooperation in this field,” he said.
He expressed confidence in the Irish presidency. “I know we are in good hands,” he said.