16 Jul 2012, 16:05
The Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs will tomorrow hear a detailed briefing of the priorities of the Cyprus Presidency of the European Union.
Cyprus holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from July to December 2012 and takes place under the theme ‘Towards a Better Europe’. Dr Michalis Stavrinos, the Cypriot Ambassador to Ireland, will present on the Presidency programme. The key programme areas focus on making Europe more efficient and sustainable, with a better performing and growth-based economy, more relevant to its citizens and closer to its neighbours in the wider world.
Chairman of the Committee Dominic Hannigan TD said: “The Committee welcomes Ambassador Stavrinos to discuss the priorities of the Cyprus Presidency in what is a defining period for the European Union. The EU’s smaller nations hold a strong reputation for delivering effective EU presidencies and solid leadership is an imperative at this critical juncture. What is achieved during the Presidency will also have important implications for Ireland, given we take over the EU Presidency in January 2013.
“We note that the Cypriots are planning to tackle the scourge of unemployment, and youth unemployment in particular. It also hopes to progress talks on policies in the areas of agriculture, fisheries and research and innovation, funding areas which impact significantly on Ireland.The Committee look forward to discussing the implementation of these priorities in greater detail with the Ambassador tomorrow.\"
The meeting takes place tomorrow Tuesday 17 July at 2 pm in Committee Room 1, 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 (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