3 Oct 2011, 14:08
A delegation of the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs is attending a meeting of COSAC in Warsaw from 3rd-4th October 2011. COSAC is the conference of Chairpersons of the European Affairs Committees and Members of the European Parliament
Among the key issues addressed at the meeting is the new EU Budget – the Multiannual financial framework for the years 2014–2020, which outlines the financial priorities of the EU and the financial mechanisms which will be used to finance spending plan over the next seven years.
Addressing the meeting, Joe Costello, TD, Chairman of the Committee on European Union Affairs, said: “The Multiannual Financial Framework is extremely important for all member States as it determines the way in which the EU Budget will be spent, on what it will be spent and how it will be financed. Ireland’s basic principle is to ensure that the overall size of the Budget will be adequate to support the agreed policy priorities as set out in the EU 2020 strategy for growth and jobs.
Key areas of concern which we wish to see addressed are:
• Maintenance of a strong agricultural sector – a strong CAP ensures food security which is an evermore vital issue for the EU. We appreciate the Commissioner’s remarks on modest convergence
• A focus on growth and job creation with new proposals for access to funding for small and medium enterprises – the lifeblood of the economy. Without growth and job activation policies there will only be stagnation and continuing economic crisis
• We welcome the ring-fencing of €4.5 billion for research and innovation on food security, bio-economy and sustainable development in the Common Strategic Framework for Research and Innovation
At the same time we must be keenly aware of the wider context and the economic difficulties affecting the EU and a number of countries in particular, including my own, which have resulted in deep austerity measures requiring tax increases, pay cuts in the public service and spending cuts. In that context the introduction of a financial transaction tax would need to be carefully considered.
As yet the analysis of the Multiannual Financial Framework is just beginning. My Committee will be engaging with a wide variety of stakeholders including the government, business, agriculture, fisheries, trade unions and NGO sectors with a view to agreeing a common approach to the MFF. We will seek to produce a response of growth and sustainable development while promoting the EU economy.
For further information please contact:
Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551
Notes to the editor:
The delegation is -
Joe Costello TD, Chairman
Timmy Dooley TD
Colm Keaveney TD
Senator Fidelma Healy-Eames
Committee on European Union Affairs
Membership
Deputies
Joe Costello, 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