I welcome both delegations and was pleased to hear the presentations.  I will start with USI because its representatives made their presentation first. 

I am pleased to hear the positive comments made by the USI representatives about Europe, the European Union and all the benefits that have flowed to students due to Ireland’s membership of the Union.  The Erasmus programme was mentioned as was the greater mobility the exists for students in different countries.  Credit was given for the fact that educational qualifications from one member state are now recognised in other member states.  That is very progressive as far as students are concerned, as it means that an education can be genuinely European.  It is possible to start a degree in one university and complete it somewhere else. 

Students in general have been more comfortable with the idea of European citizenship complementing their national citizenship.  The Lisbon treaty notes that the primary citizenship is national but European citizenship is complementary.  As students have lived and worked in Europe, they are comfortable with that idea. 

It is interesting that USI has not yet adopted a position on the treaty but intends to do so at the end of the month.  Like others, I would like to know how it will arrive at that decision, regardless of what the decision will be, and whether it intends having a formal debate on the issue. 

As the delegation is probably aware, I am a member of the Green Party.  We had a positive internal debate with as many people as possible speaking both for and against the treaty from the floor.  There were key speakers for and against and it was a democratic exercise.  A majority of our members voted in favour of the treaty, although we were not able to take an official position as we failed to reach the two thirds majority required by our constitution.  I encourage such debate and I believe it is healthy. 

How will USI communicate to its members the reason it is advocating a “Yes” vote, once the leadership takes that position, given there are 14,000 members?  Will the union organise other debates?  As with the Irish Countrywomen’s Association, members of groups may heed what the leadership of the organisation encourages in terms of a vote on the treaty, but may not necessarily be bound by that advice unless they are persuaded that it makes sense to support the treaty and vote “Yes”.  How will the leadership communicate that to the members? 

The issue of nuclear energy was raised.  That is an issue very close to the hearts of the Green Party.  It is correct that one of the protocols attached to the Lisbon treaty contains the EURATOM Treaty, which supports and encourages the development of the nuclear industry within the European Union.  However, even if the Lisbon treaty is not ratified, the EURATOM Treaty still exists and still has effect.  It originated in 1957 and it is disappointing that a sunset clause was not agreed during the negotiations whereby the EURATOM Treaty would expire by a certain year.A declaration attached to the Lisbon treaty was adopted.  Ireland was one of the states that signed up to it on the basis that we wished to see the EURATOM Treaty revised.  There is great potential in that commitment to reconsider the EURATOM Treaty to give renewable energy the preferential status that nuclear energy has in the EU’s research funding.   

Under the treaty, over 1 million signatures from a significant number of member states would constitute a citizens’ initiative.  One million Irish students would not do, as signatures would have to come from a significant number of member states.  Students are at an advantage because they can easily network with students in other countries and will be able to put a petition forward.  There is a petitions committee in the European Parliament which deals mainly with the failure of EU states to implement EU law.  The citizens’ initiative will be a different type of petition because it asks the Commission to initiate new legislation.  If it is felt that the EU has not drawn up legislation in an area in which the treaty empowers it to do, the 1 million signatures can be directed at the Commission which initiates legislation.  It is not obliged to follow through.  USI said that in its experience petitions are often ignored.  Lobbying directed at the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament, which have a role in working with the Commission to produce new legislation, could be very successful.  

Committees such as this in national Parliaments fulfil a role in monitoring EU draft legislation.  We expect greater resources for this when the Lisbon treaty is ratified.  The treaty allows us eight weeks to monitor legislation and raise a yellow card if it breaches the principle of subsidiarity.   

I will communicate USI’s wish that the referendum not be held on a Thursday, to my colleagues and ensure that the Government is aware of the difficulty it causes USI members.  It is never possible to find an ideal date.  

I respect the fact that the ICA does not call on its members to support a “Yes” or “No” vote for the Lisbon treaty but provides them with as much information as possible.  I hope that, as others have said, it will be possible for it to inform its members through leaflets, debates and so on.  Its members might like to focus on the Charter of Fundamental Rights because it has many positive aspects.  It extends the civil and political rights that we enjoy through our membership of the European Union and names social and economic rights and gives them a legal basis.  ICA members are probably aware that much of the employment and equality legislation which has benefited women is a direct result of our membership of the European Union.  The Charter of Fundamental Rights continues that process, by providing a legal basis for many rights, including those of the elderly, children and so on, that are dear to women’s hearts.  I hope the ICA will highlight those points.

Joint Committee on European Affairs • Lisbon Treaty: Discussion with USI and ICA 

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Joint Committee on European Affairs by Deirdre