Sub-Committee concludes week of wide-ranging debate on Fiscal Treaty

The Sub-Committee on the Referendum on the Intergovernmental Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union will incorporate the main strands of the debates into a report to be published in early May.
The report will also include the perspectives of the leaders of the political parties and groupings within the Oireachtas, who will present their views on the Treaty to the Sub-Committee in the coming weeks.

Committee Chairman Dominic Hannigan TD says: “The Sub-Committee, in engaging in debate with leading figures from politics, civil society, academia and diplomacy this week, has covered significant ground in the national debate on the Treaty. We thank all speakers this week for articulating so clearly their considered and insightful perspectives.

“The Sub-Committee acknowledges the significant contribution to the week’s deliberations by Irish MEPs, not just at our dedicated session with them on Tuesday, but throughout the week. We also engaged with the chairs of influential committees from the UK and European Parliaments and the Ambassadors of other Member States, bringing a valuable wider European perspective to our work. 

“Academics in the fields of economics, law and political science outlined their individual perspectives on the Treaty and underlined the importance of the referendum for Ireland’s future.

“Today’s sessions, involving business, farming and interest groups, brought great energy and awareness into the implications of the Treaty vote for Irish citizens on the ground. We also thank Declan Ganley of Libertas, Cllr Andrew Muir of the Alliance Party and Roderic O’Gorman of the Green Party for illuminating presentations. 

“Both sides of the debate are agreed that citizens should be equipped with the clear information they need when they go to vote on 31 May. Broadcast live on Oireachtas UPC Channel 801 and covered extensively by a diverse range of media outlets, the meetings of the Sub-Committee this week have stimulated a significant national debate.”

“All the views put forward this week, and the debates with political party leaders in the coming weeks, will inform a Sub-Committee report to be published in advance of referendum day on Thursday 31 May.”

Access opening presentations.

View video reaction to the debates from Sub-Committee Members:

• Chairman, Dominic Hannigan TD
• Timmy Dooley TD
• Bernard Durkan TD
• Senator Fidelma Healy Eames
• Sean Kyne TD
• Pádraig Mac Lochlainn TD
• Joe O’Reilly TD
• Mick Wallace TD

Follow the EU Affairs Committee Facebook page.

ENDS

For further information please contact: 
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +353 1 618 4484
M: +353  87 694 9926

Sub-Committee 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

HOUSES OF THE OIREACHTAS
MEDIA RELEASE

Sub-Committee concludes week of wide-ranging debate on Fiscal Treaty

5 April 2012 

An Oireachtas sub-Committee, established to examine the EU Fiscal Treaty, has concluded an intensive week of engagement with politicians, civil society leaders, academics and diplomats.

The Sub-Committee on the Referendum on the Intergovernmental Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union will incorporate the main strands of the debates into a report to be published in early May.

The report will also include the perspectives of the leaders of the political parties and groupings within the Oireachtas, who will present their views on the Treaty to the Sub-Committee in the coming weeks.

Committee Chairman Dominic Hannigan TD says: “The Sub-Committee, in engaging in debate with leading figures from politics, civil society, academia and diplomacy this week, has covered significant ground in the national debate on the Treaty. We thank all speakers this week for articulating so clearly their considered and insightful perspectives.

“The Sub-Committee acknowledges the significant contribution to the week’s deliberations by Irish MEPs, not just at our dedicated session with them on Tuesday, but throughout the week. We also engaged with the chairs of influential committees from the UK and European Parliaments and the Ambassadors of other Member States, bringing a valuable wider European perspective to our work.  

“Academics in the fields of economics, law and political science outlined their individual perspectives on the Treaty and underlined the importance of the referendum for Ireland’s future.

“Today’s sessions, involving business, farming and interest groups, brought great energy and awareness into the implications of the Treaty vote for Irish citizens on the ground. We also thank Declan Ganley of Libertas, Cllr Andrew Muir of the Alliance Party and Roderic O’Gorman of the Green Party for illuminating presentations.

 “Both sides of the debate are agreed that citizens should be equipped with the clear information they need when they go to vote on 31 May. Broadcast live on Oireachtas UPC Channel 801 and covered extensively by a diverse range of media outlets, the meetings of the Sub-Committee this week have stimulated a significant national debate.”

 “All the views put forward this week, and the debates with political party leaders in the coming weeks, will inform a Sub-Committee report to be published in advance of referendum day on Thursday 31 May.”

Access opening presentations via: http://www.euaffairs.ie/

View video reaction from Sub-Committee Members:

·         Chairman, Dominic Hannigan TD: http://youtu.be/dt3Nr6PN8pQ

·         Timmy Dooley TD: http://youtu.be/SHJ2e8e7x-A

·         Bernard Durkan TD: http://youtu.be/Ph-ocONuV7U

·         Senator Fidelma Healy Eames: http://youtu.be/OXcEr8A-7HE ´

·         Sean Kyne TD: http://youtu.be/KKp6vxn2wVc

·         Pádraig Mac Lochlainn TD: http://youtu.be/Vd1dSUopARo

·         Joe O’Reilly TD: http://youtu.be/oWLeRqQra-Q

·         Mick Wallace TD: http://youtu.be/xzAP_7MYD2A

Follow the EU Affairs Committee Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/EUAffairsCommittee  

ENDS

For further information please contact: 

Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +353 1 618 4484
M: +353  87 694 9926

Sub-Committee 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