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On 1 July Belgium assumed the presidency of the EU, taking over from Spain. For six months, the main task of the country which holds the presidency is to organise and manage the work of the Council of the European Union where the member states are represented.
The Spanish Presidency coincided with the beginning of a new phase for the EU, with a renewed Parliament and Commission and a new treaty in effect since 1 December. With this outlook, Spain, Belgium and Hungary have drawn up a work programme for the 18-month period (January 2010 to July 2011) during which they will hold the Presidency in succession, according to the new regulations which apply in Europe.
It will be the first ‘trio’ of presidencies to be formalised and perform its functions in accordance with the Treaty of Lisbon. The aim of this new procedure is to provide the work and initiatives of the EU with more continuity.
MEDIA ALERT
OIREACHTAS COMMITTEE BACKS LISBON TREATY
29 May 2008 For
immediate release
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Affairs today comes out strongly in
favour of the Lisbon Reform Treaty following soundings it has made in recent
weeks throughout the country.
The all-Party Committee believes that the Treaty achieves its objectives of enhancing the efficiency, democratic legitimacy, transparency and accountability of the enlarged Union,
In particular, it considers that the Treaty will strengthen democratic control of the EU decision-making process by upgrading the role of National Parliaments, while at the same time promoting the directly-elected European Parliament to the role of co-legislator with the Council of Ministers.
It is satisfied that Ireland’s red lines on foreign policy, including neutrality and on corporate taxation are secure, and that the opt-out/in arrangements the Government obtained in the criminal justice area will protect Ireland’s legal system. Furthermore, it is confident that unanimity will continue to be required for any future Treaty changes and that these will remain subject to ratification by each Member State in accordance with its own constitutional requirements. In Ireland, this will mean the holding of a referendum.
The Chairman of the Committee, Deputy Bernard Durkan said ‘The Committee came to these conclusions following 6 months of consultations with a variety of leading representational groups and members of the general public. We held meetings both in Leinster House and in various regional venues throughout the country. We listened to Yes Speakers and No Speakers. The only group that refused to meet us was Libertas.
The Report (PDF Version & Word Version sets out the key concerns and views expressed to us at these meetings as well as the Committee’s responses. The Committee, while it can understand some of the concerns of the individual members of the public who attended its meetings, has not been impressed by the misrepresentations and deliberate distortions of various groups which are opposed to the Treaty and, in many cases, to the EU itself.
That is why the Committee supports the Treaty.’
For further information please contact Public Relations Office,
Houses of the Oireachtas: 618 3066/3166
Members of the Committee
Deputies:
Pat Breen (FG)
Joe Costello (Lab)
Lucinda Creighton (FG)
Timmy Dooley (FF) Vice-Chairman
Bernard Durkan (FG) Chairman
Michael McGrath (FF)
Michael Mulcahy (FF)
Mary O’Rourke (FF)
Billy Timmins (FG)
Noel Treacy (FF)
Senators:
Déirdre de Búrca (GP)
Paschal Donohoe (FG)
John Hanafin (FF)
Terry Leyden (FF)
Phil Prendergast (Lab)
Feargal Quinn (Ind)
* Barry Andrews T.D. (FF) served as a member of the Committee from its establishment in November 2007 until his appointment as Minister of State with special responsibility for Children and Youth Affairs on 7 May 2008
Download PDF Version of Report
Download Word Version of Report