22 Márta 2012, 13:54
Chairman of the Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform Alex White will today address a key EU budget conference in Brussels.
Deputy White will be speaking at the 2nd high-level conference EU Budget beyond 2013: which expenditure and which resources? The conference is co-sponsored by European Parliament, the Danish Presidency of the Council and European Commission.
Deputy White will represent the National Parliaments of the Member States on a panel of speakers, which includes Commissioner Neelie Kroes, to discuss EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework after 2013 as a strategic investment tool.
The Multiannual Financial Framework defines the EU's long-term spending priorities in line with agreed political priorities and sets annual maximum amounts to be spent on each priority. The MFF ensures that annual EU budgets cannot grow out of hand and must focus on real priorities.
Committee chairman Alex White TD said: “This key conference provides parliamentarians and the EU institutions with an important opportunity to engage with each other and exchange views on the EU budget. EU policies will be determined by the shape of the next Multiannual Financial Framework which is currently under discussion.
A strategy for jobs and growth, supported by adequate funding under the new EU budget, is necessary to deal with the economic crisis in Europe and to meet the challenges that face us all.
The new budget must focus on sustainable growth, development and employment and our priority must be to pool our resources to boost productivity and prosperity through investment in, among other things, infrastructure, energy, education, research and development and natural resources.”
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 Membership
TDs
Alex White (LAB) (Chairman)
Richard Boyd-Barrett (IND)
Michael Creed (FG)
Jim Daly (FG)
Pearse Doherty (SF)
Stephen Donnelly (IND)
Timmy Dooley (FF)
Sean Fleming (FF)
Joe Higgins (IND)
Heather Humphreys (FG)
Kevin Humphreys (LAB)
Peter Mathews (FG)
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (SF)
Mary Lou McDonald (SF)
Michael McGrath (FF)
Michael McNamara (LAB)
Olivia Mitchell (FG)
Kieran O’Donnell (FG)
Arthur Spring (LAB)
Billy Timmins (FG)
Liam Twomey (FG) (Vice-Chair)
Senators
Sean D. Barrett (IND)
Thomas Byrne (FF)
Michael D’Arcy (FG)
Aideen Hayden (LAB)
Tom Sheahan (FG)
Katherine Zappone (IND