Europe: Cyprus’ EU priorities
Monday, May 28th, 2012The Greek side of a divided island takes the lead in Europe. One of the smallest but also most complex European countries will take up the Presidency of the Council of the European Union on 1 July, to be followed by Ireland on 1 January. The Council brings together government ministers and officials and is separate from the European Council (heads of government), led by Herman Van Rompuy. Cypriot and Irish histories have some similarities. British rule was ended by a war of independence, followed by a north-south partition and further conflict, and now relative peace. In Cyprus’ case,...[full story]
A local voice in Europe: North West MEP Pat the Cope Gallagher
Monday, May 28th, 2012North West MEP Pat the Cope Gallagher talks to Stephen Dineen about the Common Fisheries Policy, Ireland, Iceland and the EU. In the final analysis, all politics are local. Pat the Cope Gallagher hasn’t forgotten this despite European integration, globalisation and his return to Europe. His Thursday morning interview with eolas is briefly delayed so he can listen, from his Brussels office, to the news (in Irish) on local Donegal radio. Fisheries are also local for him, and part of his background, having worked as a fish processor and exporter. The proposed reform of the Common Fisheries...[full story]
Europe's way ahead: Commissioner Viviane Reding
Monday, May 28th, 2012Writing in eolas, European Citizenship Commissioner Viviane Reding encourages Irish citizens to take part in the largest public consultation in the continent’s history and have their say on how the EU should operate in 2020. Change in the European Union has always been triggered by seismic political events. The fall of the Iron Curtain reinforced the political will to bind Europe’s nations and peoples closer together. Today there are no borders. Instead, we have common rights for European Union citizens to live, travel, study, work, shop or retire anywhere in the EU. We created...[full story]
Europe: Ireland’s EU priorities
Monday, May 28th, 2012Cyprus wants to keep Europe’s attention on social policy but economics will inevitably set the tone for it and Ireland’s term in office. As Ireland prepares for its seventh presidency, perceptions in other European capitals will obviously be influenced by the outcome of the 31 May referendum. ‘Towards a Better Europe’ is the official title of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union, running from July to December. Holding the presidency, its first since joining the EU in May 2004, is considered a great honour by Cypriot ministers and officials, who are keen...[full story]
Europe: European diary
Monday, May 28th, 2012Federalism needed to save euro: EPP Nation-states should give up control over tax rules, retirement ages and working hours to save the euro, a senior Fine Gael ally in Europe has suggested. The European People’s Party bureau (leadership) in the European Parliament held its annual conference in Killarney on 17-18 May. It is the Parliament’s largest group, with 271 MEPs, including four from Fine Gael. Chairman Joseph Daul, a French MEP, asked Irish voters to endorse the Fiscal Compact, describing it as a “European solution to our European problems … which guarantees solidarity...[full story]
Paul Murphy MEP: A socialist Europe
Wednesday, April 4th, 2012Moving beyond protest politics and creating “a mass party of the left” are two of Paul Murphy’s aims. In a continuation of eolas’ series of interviews, Meadhbh Monahan speaks to the Socialist Party MEP. “We want ordinary people to have political power as opposed to the representatives of big business and we want the key sections of the economy to be publically owned and controlled,” begins 28-year-old Paul Murphy. “That’s very much a minority view at the moment,” he admits, even among those currently protesting against the €100 household charge. The referendum on the...[full story]
The role of parliaments: Commissioner for Inter-Institutional Relations Maroš Šefčovič
Wednesday, April 4th, 2012Europe’s national parliaments have a key role in holding the Commission and governments to account for EU policy decisions. Commissioner for Inter-Institutional Relations Maroš Šefčovič describes this role and claims that ‘more Europe’ does not threaten sovereignty. National parliaments are, in many ways, the silent partner in the EU decision-making process. Although their role may not seem as clearly defined as that of the European Commission (as the initiator of legislation), Parliament or Council (as co-legislators), they are nonetheless increasingly important...[full story]
European diary: A look at our representatives in brussels
Wednesday, April 4th, 2012Progress on beef exports Irish MEPs have welcomed the US Administration’s review of bovine import regulations, which could lead to Irish (and EU) beef being allowed re-enter the American market. EU beef has been banned in the US and Canada since the BSE outbreak in 1997. North West MEP Marian Harkin said that “European beef is safe and allowing renewed access for EU beef imports will provide welcome new market opportunities for Irish producers in the coming years.” Fianna Fáil’s Liam Aylward noted that with Ireland’s self-sufficiency in beef “developing and opening new...[full story]
Europe: Ireland’s EU referendums
Tuesday, February 7th, 2012A poll on a fiscal treaty would be the ninth EU-related referendum in Ireland. Stephen Dineen looks at the electorate’s track record. The Government’s reluctance to hold a referendum on an EU fiscal compact is not surprising. Regardless of the amount of time, energy and cost involved, Ireland’s relationship with the EU at the polling booth has become complicated. UCD political scientist Professor Richard Sinnott, an expert on Ireland’s voting behaviour in EU referendums, told eolas he believes any forthcoming EU referendum will differ from previous ones. The Irish referendum...[full story]
Water: EU blueprint
Tuesday, February 7th, 2012A blueprint aimed at safeguarding Europe’s water will be in place this year aiming to steer policy towards better tackling of water scarcity, droughts and floods. Ireland’s seven river basin management plans currently cover how local authorities intend to create a good status for all rivers, lakes, coastal waters, estuaries and groundwater by 2015 (as stipulated by the 2000 Water Framework Directive). The European Environment Agency’s 2010 State of the Environment report warned that water scarcity, droughts, floods and physical modifications (i.e. dams and sluices) will make it...[full story]
