2 Feb 2012, 15:37
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Union Affairs discussed the International Agreement on a Reinforced Economic Union with a number of leading economists, representing a wide spectrum of opinion.
Addressing the Committee were Dr Alan Ahearne of NUI Galway; Professor Karl Whelan of UCD; Tom McDonnell of the TASC think tank, and Professor John McHale, Chairman of the Fiscal Advisory Council.
Chairman of the Committee Dominic Hannigan TD said: “With the negotiations on the Treaty concluded in Brussels on Monday, this was the first opportunity for our Committee to discuss the final draft. We thank the four witnesses for thorough and considered contributions which have given Committee Members much food for thought.
“There was a consensus among the speakers today that the Fiscal Treaty is by no means the definitive solution to the European economic and financial crisis. Committee Members heard a divergence of opinion, however, on whether the Treaty provides the first steps towards economic recovery.
“Despite the detailed and intricate debate, to the forefront of Committee Members’ considerations is the impact of the terms of the Treaty on the daily lives of citizens on the ground. Leading debate on the new Treaty, the Committee intends to explore this with informed opinion from diverse perspectives in that pragmatic way.
View speakers’ opening presentations.
For further information please contact:
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4944
F: +3531 618 4551
Committee on European Union Affairs Membership
Deputies
Dominic Hannigan, TD (Chairman)
Paschal Donohoe, TD (Vice-Chairman)
Timmy Dooley, TD
Bernard J Durkan, TD
Colm Keaveney, TD
Seán Kyne, TD
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, TD
Joe O’Reilly, TD
Mick Wallace, TD
Senators
Colm Burke,
Fidelma Healy Eames,
James Heffernan,
Terry Leyden,
Kathryn Reilly