21 Márta 2012, 15:35
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Union Affairs will meet the Minister of State for European Affairs Lucinda Creighton, TD tomorrow Thursday at 11:30 a.m.
The Minister of State’s presence at the meeting will allow Committee Members to question her in advance of the upcoming meeting of the General Affairs Council (GAC), to be held in Brussels on Monday next. The main agenda items for this month are the new Multiannual Financial Framework, which shapes the EU budget from 2014 to 2020, and follow up on the issues arising at the March European Council.
Chairman of the Committee Dominic Hannigan TD said: “Our Committee meeting today is a valuable opportunity to explore Irish government policy with Minister Creighton in advance of the key monthly General Affairs Council meeting.
“The Danish Presidency has progressed negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework towards an outline of a final agreement. This month's GAC meeting provides an opportunity to discuss policy priorities outside of the two main spending areas of Cohesion Policy and CAP.
“The meeting in Brussels also consolidates the work of the March European Council on the implementation of the EU’s economic strategy. The Committee welcomes a greater emphasis by the Council on fostering growth, competiveness and employment and will be keen to explore these strands further with Minister Creighton. Debate on the EU Fiscal Treaty, which our Committee is leading, will no doubt also play a part in our discussions tomorrow. ”
The meeting takes place tomorrow Thursday 22 March 11:30 a.m. in Committee Room 3, Leinster House 2000.
Committee proceedings can be followed live at: http://bit.ly/24YmPIUCC
For further information please contact:
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4944
F: +3531 618 4551
Committee on European Union Affairs Membership
Deputies
Dominic Hannigan, 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