16 May 2012, 13:15
Between January and April, the cross party Committee engaged with leading economists, academics, lawyers, politicians, ambassadors and representatives from Irish civil society on the Treaty and its implications for Ireland.
The report, in reflecting the debates, summarises the perceived consequences of Yes and No votes and outlines the key points by each of the 61 witnesses over the 24 separate sessions.
Chairman of the Joint Committee Dominic Hannigan says: “Between January and April, our Committee and Sub-Committee heard the deeply held views of both supporters and opponents on the Treaty from a range of backgrounds within Ireland and the wider European Union.”
“Agreed by Members of our cross-party Committee, the report does not make recommendations on how the Irish people should vote. Rather, it comprehensively distills the pros and cons presented to the Committee on the Treaty’s purpose, key articles and economic implications for Ireland. Consequently, Committee Members on both sides of the debate believe that this is a balanced document, which reflects the main arguments presented before us fairly, clearly and comprehensively.
“The debates were publicised by a diverse range of media outlets, including live coverage of sessions on Oireachtas UPC channel 801 and followed widely online. We believe that this report will make a further contribution to the national debate on the Fiscal Treaty. Our cross-party Committee hopes that it will inform and enlighten the citizens we serve in advance of what both sides of the debate agree is a critical decision for the Irish people on 31 May.”
Dowload report.
Access video clip of Deputy Hannigan introducing the report.
Access the EU Affairs Committee webpage - http://www.euaffairs.ie/ - for links to transcripts, submissions, presentations, video clips and press releases on the Treaty debates.
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 6949926
F: +3531 618 4551
paul.hand@oireachtas.ie
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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