17 May 2012, 17:12
The Joint Committee on European Affairs today heard detailed briefings from leading figures in the development aid and culture and creative industries.
Hans Zomer of Dóchas, Helen Keogh of World Vision and Niamh Garvey of Trócaire, engaged with the Committee on using the Irish Presidency to shape EU policy on development.
The Committee earlier heard from Grainne Millar of the Temple Bar Cultural Trust who outlined how cultural and creative industries could be a key economic driver.
Chairman of the Committee Dominic Hannigan TD says: “Our Committee is currently focussed on considering and shaping policies for Ireland’s upcoming Presidency of the European Union, to be held in the first half of 2013.
“The Committee is in full agreement with views expressed by the development experts that Ireland can lead in safeguarding and bolstering the EU development aid funding in what is a key year for the overall European Union budget.
“With a UN Summit in September 2013 on the Millennium Development Goals, the policy decisions taken during the Irish Presidency have the potential to be far-reaching. Ireland can use its enviable reputation in the area to influence the wider European Union, collectively the world’s largest donor, for the benefit of the world’s poorest for many years to come.
“The Committee welcomes calls for public discussion around development priorities and hope to make a contribution to the debate within the development community and the wider public in the coming months. We take on board calls for greater action at European level on climate change and curbing tax avoidance by multi-national companies, which are undermining progress in many developing countries.
“We meet next month with the Minister of European Affairs Lucinda Creighton TD on the Presidency priorities and will ensure today’s valuable exchange of views will be feed into those discussions.”
The Committee also head from Grainne Millar of the Temple Bar Cultural Trust, who work to support the development of culture and art in Dublin’s cultural hub
Deputy Hannigan continues: “Ms Millar discussed the role of cultural and creative Industries in the EU2020 Strategy and called for a more targeted and integrated approach nationally for organisations to maximise funding opportunities made available by the EU.
“The Committee also takes on board her strongly held view that cultural projects be taken seriously as an economic driver. Her organisation, which has fostered over 80 businesses in the Temple Bar area into a significant tourist hub, show how cultural and creative industries can play a key role in the EU’s economic recovery.
View YouTube clip of Deputy Hannigan reflecting on the issues raised at the meeting today.
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ENDS
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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