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]
Water: Veolia Water
Tuesday, February 7th, 2012Pierre Eymery, Managing Director of Veolia Water Ireland, considers the challenges and implications of Irish Water for the water industry in Ireland. The Irish water industry is at a crossroads. The recent report by PwC for the Department of the Environment has recommended that a public utility – Irish Water – be established with statutory responsibility for all aspects of water service delivery in Ireland. Irish Water will take control of the assets currently owned by the local authorities and assume operational responsibility for their operation. The mission of Irish Water will...[full story]
Europe: European Diary
Tuesday, February 7th, 2012New Parliament President As was widely expected, Socialists and Democrats Group leader Martin Schulz won the European Parliament presidency with 387 votes. This followed a deal with the European People’s Party, which had nominated the previous President (Jerzy Buzek) in 2009. In his acceptance speech, Schulz asserted that the MEPs were the “advocates of ordinary people” and criticised heads of government for making decisions “behind closed doors”. Opposing candidates Nirj Deva and Diana Wallis described Schulz’s election as a ‘stitch-up’ but he says...[full story]
Europe: European Citizen’s Initiative explained
Tuesday, February 7th, 2012Peter Cheney considers the pros and cons of the European Citizens’ Initiative, a new system for sending 1 million-strong petitions to the Commission. From 1 April, people can start mass petitions to the European Commission, which it promises to consider as it draws up policy. The European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) is a lesser known part of the Lisbon Treaty which may improve the EU’s accountability or, alternatively, become a vehicle for populist causes. Commissioners claim that the initiative will help citizens influence EU policy. The Commission is commonly viewed as the most...[full story]
Europe: The Danish presidency’s priorities
Tuesday, February 7th, 2012Denmark is presiding over the Council of the European Union, at a critical time for the euro, although it is not itself a member. The country sees itself as an honest broker amid the crisis, and wants to make Europe more responsible, more dynamic, greener and safer. Responsibility essentially means financial discipline. Denmark has kept a prudent budget and, on its watch, the first European semester (a review of national budgeting) will be completed. It is seeking progress on the Basel 3 standards for banking reform on negotiations on the EU’s 2014-2020 budget (the Multiannual Financial...[full story]
Euro enthusiast: Gay Mitchell
Tuesday, February 7th, 2012In the first of our interviews with MEPs, Gay Mitchell talks to Stephen Dineen about Ireland’s influence in the EU and his work in the European Parliament. A deficit of leadership is hardening public opinion against Europe and Ireland’s political leaders must energetically explain the European Union’s achievements to the people. That’s Gay Mitchell’s message as he assesses the State’s position in Europe and shares his perspective on the way forward for the continent. “We, for far too long, spoke to people about the money we got from Europe,” he recalls, pointing out that...[full story]
Cover story: Lucinda Crieghton on Europe’s democratic legitimacy
Monday, February 6th, 2012Minister of State for European Affairs Lucinda Creighton discusses the Dáil’s shortcomings and her belief that the European Union has become “the vehicle for Ireland to express its sovereignty” with Meadhbh Monahan. European affairs are “no longer foreign affairs, they are domestic affairs,” according to Minister of State Lucinda Creighton. European policy “has to be central to everything that, not just the Government, but the Parliament does, because everything that we do in this country now has a very important bearing on European politics and vice-versa,” she...[full story]
