15 Noll 2011, 17:53
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Union Affairs today heard from Geraldine Byrne-Nason, Second Secretary at the Department of the Taoiseach and leading official in the Irish delegation at the December European Council.
Committee Vice-Chairman Paschal Donohoe TD says: “The Committee thanks Ms Byrne-Nason for her comprehensive and eloquent update on last week’s summit, which focussed a number of key points around the fiscal compact.
“The Committee explored with Ms Byrne-Nason the implications from the proposed legal requirement that the structural deficit should not exceed 0.5% of nominal GDP. We agree, given that defining the term 'structural deficit' is a fraught issue, the language in the Summit conclusions leaves some ambiguity. We heard that the European Institutions are proceeding on the agreement with relative speed and the Committee looks forward to evaluating a first draft in the coming weeks.
“The Committee agrees that the non-participation of the UK is a disappointing outcome for Ireland. However, we take on board Ms Byrne-Nason’s reminder that the UK remains an active and constructive player in EU areas critical to Ireland’s interest such as the single market.
“Commending Ms Byrne-Nason on her use of plain language, the Committee accepts that the onus is on politicians to clearly and candidly connect with an evermore informed citizenry on these matters.”
Also addressing the committee today were representatives from the Irish Business and Employers Confederation, the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association and the Small Firms Association.
Deputy Donohue continued: “We thank business representatives for a timely reminder that the euro crisis has had huge ramifications on business confidence, with knock on effects on exports and job creation.
“The Committee notes the broad welcome for the Commission’s Europe 2020 growth strategy, particularly around the simplification of patents and boosting Research and Development. However, we fully take on board the arguments of business representatives that the manner the proposals are implemented on the ground will be key to their success.”
ENDS
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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