Ever since we rejected the Nice Treaty, the Eurocrats have been careful how they treat us, at least publicly. While we are no longer as popular as we used to be, and this is reflected in less bonhomie and deal-making behind the scenes, there is now no question of a public dressing down such as the EU finance commission engaged in almost a year ago. So when the commissioner for the environment Margot Wallstrom arrives in Dublin on Wednesday, the emphasis will be on cooperation and friendship and the fact that part of the reason for her visit is that we are in trouble on several environmental fronts will be dealt with pleasantly.
The Swedish commissioner will have separate meetings with ministers Noel Dempsey and SilΘ de Valera, address the Forum on Europe in Dublin Castle, participate in a class in UCD, meet An Taisce and environmental NGOs, visit a waste-recycling facility and and deliver a lecture at the Institute of European Affairs. Our record is no worse than most but the areas of concern are the protection of nature (ie the provision of designated habitats for animals, plants and birds, for which we are being taken to the European Court of Justice) and waste management (where court action is threatened over failure to plan and water pollution, particularly in group water schemes). The two ministers will be asked for an update on Irish compliance and it will be pointed out that what the Commission wants is actually in our own interest.
And what, Quidnunc wonders, will the environment supremo make of Farmleigh, the state guest house where she will be accommodated for her two-night stay?
When the first visitors, the Chinese prime minister Zhu Rongji and his entourage, arrived there was a great environmental fuss about the barbed wire surrounding the grounds. The OPW says it cost £100,000 to erect and then dismantle. Other house guests have included the president of Lithuania, the speakers of the house from Iceland and from Slovakia, and the British-Irish inter-parliamentary group.