12 Ean 2012, 16:09
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Union Affairs today met with the Danish Ambassador to Ireland H.E. Niels Pultz on his country’s priorities during its six month Presidency.
Committee Vice-Chairman Paschal Donohoe TD says: “The Committee thanks Ambassador Pultz for his summary of Danish priorities for its Presidency. Acknowledging that the European Union is facing the greatest challenge in its history, the Presidency will be defined by the response to the current debt crisis.”
“Committee Members expressed concern that the current agenda is being dominated by France and Germany and advocated a return of the community method of decision making, which would place all Member States on a more equal footing.”
“As a small successful Northern European country which has navigated the financial storm relatively successfully, Denmark is in a strong position to provide the leadership the European Union requires at this time.
“The Committee is interested in the integral role that the Danish Parliament is playing in the Presidency, and its plan to engage with national parliaments across the Union to tackle the priorities. During the six months, the Danes will host 1000 parliamentarians from the 27 Member States of the Union as well as the five candidate countries.”
“As well as restoring economic stability, the Danes have prioritised the further development of the single market. The Committee welcomes the intention of the Presidency to reduce mobile roaming charges, which would have significant practical benefits for enterprise Union-wide.
“The Committee Members look forward to engaging with the Ambassador over the course of the Danish Presidency.”
For further information please contact:
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926
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