Single market vital goal for Irish presidency

By Martin Banks

Date: 23/10/03

COMPLETING the single market will be one of Ireland's key priorities when it takes over the EU's rotating presidency in January, according to the country's European affairs minister.

Dick Roche, who was addressing a European Economic and Social Committee conference in Brussels last week on the theme of The Contribution of Organized Civil Society to the Lisbon Process, said that this will be "critical" in helping the EU achieve its stated goal of becoming the world's most competitive, knowledge-based economy by the end of the decade.

"Progress in advancing the internal market should bring about real improvements in employment growth and business expansion," he said.

Ireland has been one of the biggest economic success stories of recent years.

In 1993-2000, the country's living standards grew by more than 6%, the number of people in work increased by more than half a million and real take-home pay soared by 60%.

But Roche says it will take "dynamic" and "radical" solutions if such success is to be replicated across the Union.

"Achieving the overall goals set at Lisbon in 2000 will require substantial commitment from European institutions, political leaders and social organizations," he said.

Particular emphasis, therefore, will be put on consultation with "civil society" - business and employees' organizations - during Ireland's presidency.

"We in Ireland are acutely conscious of the contribution that social partnership has made in bringing about our current economic prosperity.

"It is our intention to use existing opportunities for social dialogue to their full potential," he added.