Introduction.
The decision by the incoming Spanish Presidency to prioritise the implementation of the EU Citizen’s Initiative which is outlined to in the Lisbon Treaty is very welcome. This initiative is an ambitious one. The EU is a trans-national democracy consisting of 27 Member States with differing political cultures. The effective implementation of the initiative could [...]
Like others I welcome representatives of the European Movement to the meeting. Along with others, I admire the work it does, particularly the work it has done in recent years as it has adopted a newer, fresher and much more accessible approach to informing people about what happens in the European Union and the European [...]
Continue readingI welcome the Minister of State. I also welcome the opportunity to engage in the Second Stage debate on the Bill. As Senator Glynn said, the legislation is very welcome because it is long overdue, as most of us would accept. Both of the Minister’s immediate predecessors in the Department of the Environment, Heritage and [...]
Continue readingI thank the Chairman and welcome the MEPs present. It is great to see them here. I hope this will be a more regular occurrence, as dialogue between national parliamentarians and MEPs is helpful.
I welcome the opportunity to speak about the EU citizens’ initiative because it was highlighted during the Lisbon treaty referendum campaign as [...]
I welcome the Minister of State and the opportunity to discuss this motion on a new Council standing committee on internal security, COSI. The shift within the provisions of the Lisbon treaty to a much more genuinely European or Community approach to justice and home affairs, as opposed to the more traditional inter-governmental approach, was [...]
Continue readingI welcome the Minister. He outlined the priorities of the incoming Spanish Presidency, one of which is economic recovery and job creation. I agree with Senator Cummins that this should be a priority for the incoming Presidency. I notice that the issue of the European micro-finance facility for employment and social progress is on the [...]
Continue readingI welcome the Minister and I welcome the opportunity to participate in the debate on the timely Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services and Electronic Communications Infrastructure) Bill 2009. Senator Quinn mentioned some of the changes in the field. It is important for legislation to keep pace with the changes that are happening. The premium rate [...]
Continue readingI welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Finneran. I am pleased to have an opportunity to speak about this important issue, particularly at a time when an international summit on climate change is taking place in Copenhagen. When I listened to the contributions of Senators, I was encouraged to hear they are convinced about the [...]
Continue readingI welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Killeen, and the opportunity to make a statement on the agriculture and agrifood sectors. Like many others, I acknowledge the range of challenges facing both sectors. Senators referred to climate change, trade agreements, the pressure of large multiples pushing down the prices farmers get for their produce, the [...]
Continue readingThe Minister is very welcome. Since his last visit to this committee, Ireland has been allocated the new research and innovation portfolio in the European Commission. I wonder what the Minister’s view is of the importance of this portfolio to Ireland and to the post-Lisbon strategy. To what extent does he believe the post-2010 Lisbon [...]
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