9 Oct 2013, 13:39
UCD's Dr Gavin Barrett is before the EU Affairs Committee tomorrow to present an extensive study on the evolving role of the Oireachtas in European Union affairs.
9 October 2013
Dr Barrett, Senior Lecturer at School of Law in UCD, was the recipient of the Parliamentary Fellowship for 2010-2011 and produced the detailed report in fulfilment of the award. The report is entitled The Oireachtas and the European Union: the Evolving Role of a National Parliament in European Affairs.
Chairman of the Committee Dominic Hannigan TD says: “What happens at European level is an integral part of our political and administrative systems, having direct consequences nationally. The role of the Oireachtas in European Union Affairs has steadily developed since Ireland joined the EU in 1973 and has intensified in recent years under the provisions of the Treaty of Lisbon. Our Committee meeting tomorrow will see Dr Gavin Barrett present a significant body of work on how the Oireachtas’ role in EU affairs has evolved over time.
\"The Lisbon Treaty conferred significant new powers on national parliaments in EU Affairs, particularly in greater oversight of the subsidiarity principle. Oireachtas sectoral Committees are now playing a greater role in scrutinising EU legislation and engaging with Government Ministers in advance of meetings in Brussels. More space is undoubtedly required within our parliament to properly debate the future shape of the European Union and the meeting with Dr Barrett will be a valuable opportunity to explore how to enhance the Oireachtas’ engagement with Europe.”
The meeting takes place tomorrow Thursday 10 October at 2 pm in Committee Room 3, Leinster House 2000 tomorrow. Committee proceedings can be followed here.
Media enquiries to:
Paul Hand,
Communications Unit,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926
Committee Membership
Deputies: Eric Byrne, Seán Crowe, Timmy Dooley, Bernard J. Durkan, John Halligan, Dominic Hannigan (Chair), Seán Kyne, Dara Murphy (Vice-Chair) and Joe O’Reilly
Senators: Colm Burke, John Kelly, Terry Leyden, Catherine Noone and Kathryn Reilly