11 Jul 2012, 16:32
The Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs will meet the Minister of State for European Affairs Lucinda Creighton TD tomorrow tomorrow at 10 a.m. to discuss progress on planning for Ireland’s forthcoming EU Presidency.
Ireland holds the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union during the first six months of 2013.
Vice-Chairman of the Committee Paschal Donohoe TD said: “Ireland has a strong track record of hosting successful EU Presidencies and this Presidency will be a unique opportunity for Ireland to contribute significantly to the European Union’s agenda.
“In this uncertain economic period, it promises to be a crucial period for the European Union. Ireland can play a role in shaping flagship European policies such as the Common Agricultural Policy and development aid during the six months. This Committee hopes to lead in the engagement of the Houses of the Oireachtas in creating a vibrant parliamentary dimension to the Presidency, contributing to policy which fosters growth and curbs unemployment rates.
“Hosting the rotating Presidency is always demanding for Member States. The Committee will also be keen to explore with Minister Creighton the challenges for Ireland in the context of significant resource constraints. The Committee looks forward to an exchange of views with Minister Creighton on the preparations to date, the main priorities, and the overall approach the Government is planning to take.”
The meeting takes place tomorrow Thursday at 10 a.m. in Committee Room 3, Leinster House 2000.
Committee proceedings can be viewed online via this link.
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ENDS
For further information please contact:
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +353 1 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926
Committee Membership
Deputies
Dominic Hannigan TD Labour (Chairman)
Paschal Donohoe TD Fine Gael (Vice-Chairman)
Timmy Dooley TD Fianna Fáil
Bernard J Durkan TD, Fine Gael
Colm Keaveney TD, Labour
Seán Kyne TD, Fine Gael
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn TD, Sinn Féin
Joe O’Reilly TD, Fine Gael
Mick Wallace TD, Independent
Senators
Colm Burke,
Fidelma Healy Eames,
James Heffernan,
Terry Leyden,
Kathryn Reilly