24 Ean 2013, 17:32
Inaugural meeting of the parliamentary dimension of Ireland’s EU Presidency
24 January 2013
The Chairs of the European Affairs Committees from across EU Member States meet in Dublin Castle on Monday 28 January for a wide-ranging discussion which will focus on the role for national parliaments in securing stability and economic growth for the European Union.
Under the chairmanship of Dominic Hannigan TD, Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs, the meeting takes place in the Conference Centre in Dublin Castle from 9 am (programme below) on Monday.
Deputy Hannigan TD says: “Ireland assumes the Presidency at a decisive period for the European Union, and Minister Howlin will address the conference on the priorities for the Irish Presidency, expanding on how the overarching goals of stability, jobs and growth can be secured.
“We intend to discuss the increasing engagement of national parliaments in the European Union decision making process with Maroš Maroš Šefcovic, Vice President of the European Commission. Holding the key portfolio of inter-institutional relations, Commissioner Šefcovic will address the Conference on the role for national parliaments in developing ever-closer Economic and Monetary Union.”
“We hope the business of the meeting will have relevance for the citizens we serve. With each of the eight parliamentary meetings being broadcast live on Oireachtas UPC Channel 207, the discussion will go beyond the historic surroundings of Dublin Castle to 957,000 people in 328,000 homes. All meetings will also be webcast live via the dedicated website for the parliamentary dimension of the presidency, www.parleu2013.ie/live”
The meeting comes under the auspices of COSAC, which is a conference of the committees from national parliaments dealing with EU affairs as well as representatives of the European Parliament. A principal purpose of this meeting is to agree the agenda for the Plenary meeting of the XLIX COSAC, to be held in Dublin from 23 to 25 June. The event is the first in a series of eight meetings being hosted by the Houses of the Oireachtas during the six month Presidency. Details of all eight meetings are accessible on www.parleu2013.ie.
Follow the EU Affairs Committee Facebook page for updates during the Presidency.
ENDS
Media: Please note that the Werburgh Street Media Centre will not be open for this event. For further information or to register your interest in attending the event, please contact:
Paul Hand,
P: +353 1 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926
or
Cáit Hayes,
Tel: +353 1 6183883
Mob: +353 87 9190300
COSAC Chairs Programme - 28 January 2013
Venue: Conference Centre, Dublin Castle
09:00 Opening address by Mr. Dominic Hannigan T.D., Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Union Affairs
09.45 Priorities of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union
Address by Mr. Brendan Howlin T.D., Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform
Debate
11.10 Family photo
Coffee Break
11:30 The future of Europe : towards a genuine Economic and Monetary Union
Address by Mr. Maroš Šefcovic, Vice-President of the European Commission
Debate
13:00 Lunch
Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Affairs Membership
Deputies
Dominic Hannigan, TD (Chairman)
Paschal Donohoe, TD (Vice-Chairman)
Seán Crowe, TD
Timmy Dooley, TD
Bernard J Durkan, TD
John Halligan, TD
Seán Kyne, TD
Joe O’Reilly, TD
Senators
Colm Burke,
Fidelma Healy Eames,
James Heffernan,
Terry Leyden,
Kathryn Reilly