13 Nov 2012, 18:27
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Union Affairs today engaged in wide-ranging discussion with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Eamon Gilmore TD. The Tánaiste met the Committee in advance of the upcoming meeting of the General Affairs Council (GAC), to be held in Brussels on 20 November.
14 November 2012
The Tánaiste met the Committee in advance of the upcoming meeting of the General Affairs Council (GAC), to be held in Brussels on 20 November.
Chairman of the Committee Dominic Hannigan TD said: “Our Committee heard a detailed briefing from the Tánaiste which centred on upcoming negotiations on the Multi-annual Financial Framework, which sets the EU's overall budget from 2014 to 2020.
\"We agree with the Tánaiste that there is no more urgent issue facing Ireland and Europe than that of unemployment, and youth unemployment in particular. We heard that, while there was no silver bullet, the Compact for Growth and Jobs agreed earlier in the year had significant potential to curb youth unemployment. Committee Members also raised the proposal of a youth guarantee to a job, education or training for all school leavers across Europe.
“However, we take on board the Tánaiste’s view that the European Union needs the appropriate budget to deploy a range of policies to foster economic growth and job creation. The talks on the Multi-annual Financial Framework are entering a decisive phase, with a special meeting of the European Council to consider the matter on 22 and 23 November. The Tánaiste reminded the Committee of Ireland’s commitment to a properly funded and properly functioning European Union.
\"Committee Members warmly welcomed the announcement last night that Ireland had secured a seat on the UN Human Rights Council. Reflecting on Ireland’s strong reputation in the area, Committee Members questioned the Tánaiste on potential cuts to the EU’s aid budget and are encouraged that Ireland will oppose any reduction to the EU's activities in the world's least developed countries.
“Referring to the growing divisions within Britain to the European Union, the Tánaiste noted that the UK has always been a very important partner for Ireland and that it was our interest that the UK remains fully engaged in the European project. A number of Committee Members pointed to the imperative for solidarity and unity to bolster economic recovery across the European Union.”
Access the Tánaiste's opening statement.
ENDS
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Committee Membership
Deputies
Dominic Hannigan, TD (Chairman)
Paschal Donohoe, TD (Vice-Chairman)
Seán Crowe, TD
Timmy Dooley, TD
Bernard J Durkan, TD
John Halligan, TD
Colm Keaveney, TD
Seán Kyne, TD
Joe O’Reilly, TD
Senators
Colm Burke,
Fidelma Healy Eames,
James Heffernan,
Terry Leyden,
Kathryn Reilly