EU Affairs Committee engages with Minister for European Affairs on CAP reform and youth unemployment

Minister Creighton outlined the main agenda item to be discussed, the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), which will shape the EU’s budget between 2014 and 2020. She underlined Ireland’s commitment to safeguarding CAP funding in the negotiations and ensuring a focussed and targeted approach to curbing unemployment.

Chairman of the Committee Dominic Hannigan TD said: “At a critical juncture for the European Union, today's exchange of views with Minister Creighton was a valuable and timely opportunity to make a contribution to shaping the European agenda. Committee Members were particularly encouraged by the re-focus on unemployment in recent months by European leaders, and youth unemployment in particular. There was a call for a more targeted approach to EU-funded training across Member States, to ensure verifiable outcomes in alleviating the scourge of joblessness among European citizens.

“Committee Members exchanged views with the Minister on future CAP funding, so crucial to the sustainability of Irish agriculture. Acknowledging that our agri-food industry can continue to be a key driver in national recovery, a number of voices pointed out that the CAP was critical to food security, safety and quality which benefitted the European consumer too. We take on board the Minister’s view that Ireland was building up a strong alliance of like-minded Member States to ensure CAP funding remained at current levels.

“The GAC meeting also provides Ireland with an opportunity to feed into the preparation for important upcoming G20 summit, to be held in Mexico in mid-June. The agenda has a particular relevance to Ireland with topics related to agricultural production and productivity, food security and green growth. While Ireland won’t be at the G20 table, the EU will be represented by President Van Rompuy and President Barroso.\"

Sub-Committee Report on Fiscal Treaty debates: A comprehensive report by a Sub-Committee established to debate the Fiscal Treaty is available online, in advance of referendum day on 31 May. It reflects extensive debate with leading economists, academics, lawyers, politicians, ambassadors and representatives from Irish civil society.

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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