§ Keith VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Irish Foreign Minister concerning the referendum in Ireland on 20 October. [76095]
§ Peter HainMy right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary meets his Irish counterpart regularly in the margins of the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC). Discussions have covered the range of EU topics, including the Irish Referendum on the Treaty of Nice on 19 October. The GAERC on 21 October discussed briefly the "Yes" result, which is a positive step towards enlargement of the European Union. I attending the GAERC in place of the Foreign Secretary and also met the Irish Foreign Minister.
§ Keith VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of the reform agenda in the EU. [76096]
§ Peter HainFollowing the Council reforms agreed at the Seville European Council in June, the Danish Presidency has been taking forward further discussions on this issue. They will be submitting an initial report to the Copenhagen European Council in December.
There has also been progress on internal Commission reform. A new financial regulation has now been agreed. Comprehensive improvements to the Institutions' human resources policies are currently being negotiated.
The Convention on the Future of Europe is, of course, discussing reform of the EU across a wide range of issues. This work is due to conclude in time for the June 2003 European Council.