26 Jan 2012, 17:33
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Union Affairs met with Minister of State for European Affairs Lucinda Creighton this morning in advance of the upcoming General Affairs Council meeting in Brussels tomorrow Friday 27 January.
Newly elected Chairman of the Committee Dominic Hannigan TD said: “The Committee thanks Minister Creighton for a outlining Ireland’s positions on the issues to be discussed in Brussels tomorrow.
“The Minister affirmed Ireland’s broad support of the Danish Presidency’s work programme for 2012. While deeply committed to resolving the ongoing economic and financial crisis, Committee Members are encouraged that the Danes are also seeking to bolster the Single Market rules, with a view to delivering long term job creation and sustainable economic growth.
“The Committee are also encouraged that enlargement is firmly on the Danish agenda and agree with the Minister that EU Member States, even in times of economic crisis, should be willing to build on one of the Union’s most successful policies, particularly through continued engagement with countries in the Balkans.”
“Minister Creighton also explained that tomorrow’s Brussels visit includes a breakfast meeting with fellow Ministers and European Council President Van Rompuy. The meetings tomorrow will lay the ground for the next crucial European Council meeting in early March and the Committee looks forward to playing a constructive role in a national debate on the proposed fiscal compact.”
For further information please contact:
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4944
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