De Burca writes to Sarkozy proposing ‘people’s forum’ on the future of Europe

 The Green Party’s European Affairs spokesperson Deirdre de Burca has written to French President Nicolas Sarkozy proposing that he organise a ‘people’s forum’ to discuss the future of the European Union following Ireland’s rejection of the Lisbon Treaty.

Senator de Burca is a member of the new Oireachtas committee charged with producing a report for the Government on Ireland’s future position in Europe, and she wrote to the French Leader – who is in currently in charge of the EU’s rotating Presidency – after discussing the issue at a meeting in Paris with Green Party colleagues from across Europe.

In her letter, Senator de Burca refers to a suggestion made by President Sarkozy during his meeting in Dublin in July with politicians and activists from the Yes and No Lisbon campaigns, that he might consider convening a European level forum to debate how the EU can move beyond its current institutional impasse.

De Burca, who is the Green Party’s candidate in the Dublin region for next year’s European elections, asked President Sarkozy to host a ‘people’s forum’ comprised of members of civil society and interest groups across EU member states, and politicians, to debate citizens’ attitudes towards the EU and how to promote greater citizen engagement with the Union.

Filed under:
European Affairs, Press Release by Deirdre