The President of the European Parliament, Jose Maria Gil-Robles, paid an official visit to Ireland in early March, during which he was received by the President, Mrs McAleese. He met his opposite numbers in the Oireachtas, the Ceann Comhairle Seamus Pattison, and the Cathaoirleach Brian Muloolly.
President Gil-Robles had lengthy private discussions with the Taoiseach and with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and further meetings with the Minister for Finance and with the Governor of the Central Bank, Maurice O'Connell. Among the issues discussed were the future financing of the EU and, in particular, the structural funds, the role of the European Parliament in overseeing the European Central Bank, and the prospect of an agreed common statute for Members of the European Parliament. The latter would meet a long-standing desire of the Parliament to put all its members on the same footing as regards their legal status, their immunity from prosecution, and their pay and conditions.
President Gil-Robles delivered an address on the Amsterdam Treaty and the future of the European Union in Trinity College. A capacity audience attended for the 40minute lecture and some 20 minutes of questions and answers.