Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2022
515. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe; the engagement which is now taking place with the European Commission on this matter; the approach Ireland is taking to the various recommendations made at the conference; the particular issues of concern to Ireland in respect of the conclusions of the conference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37793/22]
View answerThe Conference on the Future of Europe was a year-long process that concluded on 9 May 2022. It has been an open and inclusive European democratic exercise that has offered citizens from across the EU the opportunity to provide their views on the EU’s optimal future directions. Whilst the first stage of the Conference has formally concluded, the real work and conversations about Europe’s future are to some extent only starting. Over 320 measures and recommendations have been presented during the Conference, spanning virtually the entire spectrum of EU activity.
Both the European Commission and Council have undertaken formal assessments of the proposals which have been published in recent weeks and EU leaders briefly discussed the results of the Conference at the European Council meeting last month, noting the recommendations and requesting each Institution to follow up in accordance with its own competences. In their assessments, both the Council and the Commission have expressed the view that the vast majority of the proposals can be implemented, if agreed, through existing policies, without the need to re-open the European treaties. Ireland has also consistently underlined that the EU’s immediate focus should centre on progressing those proposals that can be realised within the parameters of the existing treaty framework.
Arising from its assessment, the European Commission intends implementing some of the recommendations within the framework of the Commission Work Programme to be published later this year. President von der Leyen will outline intentions in her State of the Union address in September.
The General Affairs Council, in its responsibility for overall policy coordination, institutional issues and horizontal files affecting several Union policies, will be responsible for the Council's follow-up to the Conference on the Future of Europe. The Government stands ready to work constructively with our Partners within the Council and with the European Parliament and Commission to help implement those changes that deliver a better Union for our citizens.
Nationally, a detailed assessment of all the recommendations will be carried out across all relevant government departments within the coming months, overseen by my Department.
A very small number of the recommendations would require changes to the current EU treaties in order to be implemented. These include making health a shared competence of the EU, switching from unanimity to qualified majority voting (QMV) in both the European Council and Council, and increased powers for the European Parliament.
