EU Affairs Committee engage with Swedish parliamentarians

Susanne Eberstein MP, Deputy First Speaker of the Swedish Riksda, led the delegation and was accompanied by Hans Backman MP, Emma Henrikson MP and Sven-Olof Salstrom MP. 

Chairman of the Committee Dominic Hannigan TD said: “Both Committees Members and the delegation saw the dialogue as an opportunity for two relatively small Member States to wield more influence in areas of mutual interest at European level.

“A key priority of this Committee is to engage with fellow parliamentarians to ensure that the challenges being faced by Ireland and its citizens are fully understood across Europe. Committee Members heard our Swedish counterparts express considerable empathy with Ireland’s current position.

“The Swedish approach to resolving its banking crisis in the early 1990s was shared by the delegation. In reflecting on what was a difficult time for Sweden, the delegation explained that while standards of living did fall, the Swedish social model was safeguarded during their crisis. They also said that the very substantial sums pumped into in the ailing Swedish banking system were ultimately recovered for the taxpayer over time.

“With robust legislation in the area, the delegation was also questioned on the Swedish approaches to curbing sex trafficking. They saw Swedish law, which criminalises the purchase of prostitution, as a good base with which to tackle the issue Europe-wide. 

“While Sweden is not a member of the euro, the Committee heard the visitors express strong support for the Fiscal Treaty. With reference to the EU’s unemployment crisis, they stated that connecting the education system with the needs of the jobs market was key to solving the problem. We assured the delegation that unemployment, and youth unemployment in particular, would be a priority for the Committee as it prepares for Ireland's EU Presidency next year.”

The delegation meets with the Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and Education and the Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform tomorrow before departing for Sweden on Friday morning.  

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For further information please contact:  
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4484
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