23 Feb 2012, 16:51
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Union Affairs today heard a wide-ranging opinion on the International Agreement on a Reinforced Economic Union from number of prominent experts. UCC economics lecturer Seamus Coffey, DCU lecturer in International Relations Dr Karen Devine and ICTU Chief Economist Paul Sweeney presented to the Committee.
Minister of State for European Affairs Lucinda Creighton also updated the Committee in advance of the monthly General Affairs Council meeting, to be held in Brussels next week.
Chairman of the Committee Dominic Hannigan TD said: “Building on the Committee’s previous constructive engagement with academic economists on 2 February, Members engaged in detailed discussion with the three experts.
“The two economists took diverging views on the Fiscal Treaty, which will inform our future discussions. The Committee heard Mr Sweeney argue strongly that the Treaty wasn’t credible and, following on from that, 'when there’s bad law people don’t respect it'. Mr Coffey pointed to the positives in the Treaty, and contended that a Fiscal Treaty, had it been in place a decade ago, would have placed 'in flashlights' reckless Irish government spending during the boom years.
“Dr Devine meanwhile, reflecting on recent European referenda in Ireland, pointed to what she perceived as the lack of democracy at the heart of the Union.
“The theme of enlargement loomed large in our discussions with Minister of State Creighton. Next week’s General Affairs Council meeting will discuss the status of Serbia and there was strong support among some Committee Members that Serbia be given candidate status. Members, reflecting on the powerful address to the Committee by Lord Ashdown last month, advocated that weak state institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina be proactively bolstered as they strive towards European Union membership.”
Have your say: The Committee is leading a national debate on the new EU Fiscal Treaty. It invites submissions from those who wish to make known their views on the Treaty and its implications for Ireland. View more and make a submission: http://bit.ly/xMg2nJ
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