Minister of State for European Affairs to address Committee on European Union Affairs

Francis Jacobs, Head of the European Parliament Information Office in Ireland, and Barbara Nolan, Head of the European Commission Representation in Ireland, will also address the Committee to discuss the role of stakeholder institutions in relation to European Affairs.

Joe Costello, TD, Chairman of the Committee on European Union Affairs, said:

“It is quite obvious that we are at a crucial time in the history of the European Union.  Ireland and the EU face many issues and challenges and this Committee will play an important role in informing debate on the European Union in Ireland and in fully considering important EU developments and initiatives affecting Ireland.

As we formulate and agree a work programme for this committee, it is important to hear first hand from key stakeholders in relation to European Union Affairs. Therefore, it is timely and welcome that Minister Creighton has agreed to address the Committee at this early opportunity to update Members on her priorities and the areas of primary concern.

I’m delighted that Barbara Nolan, Head of the European Commission Representation in Ireland, and Francis Jacobs, Head of the European Parliament Information Office in Ireland, will also appear before the Committee tomorrow. It is important that we get the views and input of parties with an interest and expertise in European Union Affairs.

It is ever more important that the policies emanating from the European Union are properly examined and that this Committee fully utilises its opportunities for engagement with the EU institutions to monitor and influence the political and strategic direction of the Union as a whole in the coming years. This will form a key part of the Committee’s remit.”

The Committee will meet at 12 noon in Committee Room 4, Leinster House 2000.

Committee proceedings can be followed live at:
http://www.oireachtas.ie/ViewDoc.asp?fn=/documents/livewebcast/Web-Live.htm&CatID=83&m=o

For further information please contact:

Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2

P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551

Committee on European Union Affairs

Membership

Deputies

Joe Costello, 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