37 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will give details of Government strategy on the future financial framework of the European Union and particularly on a new structural funds regime. [14724/97]

46 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his response to the EU commission's agenda 2000 proposals. [14601/97]

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 37 and 46 together.

As Deputies will be aware, the Agenda 2000 proposals which have been brought forward by the Commission related to the future enlargement of the European Union and to the future financing and development of Union policies taking account of that enlargement. A copy of the main Agenda 2000 documents has been placed in the Oireachtas Library.

A number of important elements of Agenda 2000 are within the primary responsibility of the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Agriculture and Food. European Union foreign Ministers have, however, been given overall responsibility for the negotiations and it is on that basis that I am outlining in a summary way the Government's general approach.