Ask Margot Wallström

I have already posted one thing that is on tomorrow night, UCC LGBT's debate on Civil Partnerships but clashing with that is a web cast over on EUIreland.tv with Ursula Halligan interview European Commission Vice President Mrs Margot Wallström. She will be focusing on three topics; the future direction of the European Union, the Lisbon Treaty and what it means for Ireland and the difficulties of communicating Europe. The webcast is being co-hosted by the European Movement Ireland

The Webcast will be on from 8-10pm and will feature a live chat! You can also submit your questions in advance but there is no guarantee that they will be asked.

Some info:
Margot Wallström was appointed Vice President of the European Commission in charge of Institutional Relations and Communication in August 2004. President Barroso created this post in order to improve the way the EU communicates 'Europe' to citizens. From 1999 till 2004, Margot served as Environment Commissioner in the Prodi Commission.

Before dedicating herself to the European Union, Margot spent most of her professional life being active in Swedish politics. From 1979 till 1985, she was Member of the Swedish Parliament. In 1988, she became Minister of Civil Affairs responsible for Consumer, Women and Youth matters and held this post for four years. In 1994, she was appointed Minister of Culture for two years and then Minister of Social Affairs for another two years.

Communications also played a key part in her career. From 1993 till 1994 she worked as CEO of TV Värmland, a Swedish Regional TV network. Between 1998 and 1999, she lived in Colombo (Sri Lanka) and worked as Executive Vice-President of Worldview Global Media.

She was born in Sweden on 28 September 1954 and graduated from high school in 1973.

Margot Wallström also has her own blog!

Now I have a choice to make hmmm...

Voting No? Then we could lose our commissioner next year!

Yes, thats right! Libertas is telling lies! According to Fine Gael TD Leo Varadkar

Under Lisbon, the European Commission will be reduced in size to 18 Commissioners from 2014 and all countries will rotate on and off the commission in strict equality. In short, each country will nominate a Commissioner for ten years out of every 15. In fact, there is even a clause in the Lisbon Treaty that would allow for all countries to continue to have a Commissioner indefinitely, should all countries want that to happen.

"However, if the Referendum is lost, the compromise agreed at Lisbon falls and the provisions of the Nice Treaty will apply. Under Nice, the Commission will be reduced to 26 or fewer members from the middle of next year

So how EU members states are there? 27. How many commissioners? 26. Chances are if we vote know, we will lose.

People forget that this was an issue under the Nice Treaty. We already accepted the fact that we will not always have a commissioner. Lisbon sets it out on a more equal basis!

Vote YES to retain our commissioner! (For another bit!)

Full Press Release

Hairdressers key to treaty vote

Via The Irish Examiner (Full Story)

Well done to Irish MEP, Colm Burke who has come up with an excellent idea to spread information on the Lisbon Treaty. He has decided to send information to hairdressers after his own experience in one in Cork. Teh hairdresser was told that the treaty would "bring in a new regime about the number of children she could have". I have read the treaty and there is nothing in it on that. He was also handed a leaflet that claimed (not in the hairdressers) that "everyone would have to pay an extra 20% tax to the EU" which again is completely false.

The no campaign is stooping to low after low. Libertas also, in the Irish Examiner, misquoted EU Commissioner Margot Wallström in a letter, which she has blogged about.

What other untruths apart from the usual, Neutrality/European Army, are we going to hear. I'm thinking of compiling a list.

EU Links 28th Feb 2008

Its been awhile so here we go.

Postal services: Date set for aboloshing postal monopolies

Radio: April will see the launch of a European Radio Network FAQ

Employment: The latest Joint Employment Report is out (English PDF, Other languages click here)

Anti-Trust: Massive fine on Microsoft FAQ

TV (Ireland): Commission to close invistigation into state aid to RTE and TG4

Energy: Agenda and information for the upcoming Energy Council Meeting

Regions: Regiostar Awards 2008

Debate: Europe as an identity

Thats all for now...

EU Links 15th Feb 2008

More stuff from the EU

Commission: New Porposals on Border controls from the Commission

Commission: McCreevy proposes that the term of copyright protection for European performers be increased from 50 to 95 years

Exexutive Agencies: Frontex, European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders. Its in the spotlight at the moment so have a read about them.

Parliament: Prince Charles talks to the EP

Parliament: Contacts for the Irish MEP's.

EESC: The European Economic and Social Committee in Ten Points (PDF)

EU: Want a job in an EU institution? Apply at EPSO

Thats it for today!

EU Links, 13th Feb 2008, Focus on DG Culture

Im getting to like trawling through the EU websites for stuff for this! And it is a trawl!! As its the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue I am focusing on DG Culture.

EYID: Objectives and actions for 2008

Basis for EU Cultural action lies in Article 151 of the Maastricht treaty. Culture will be further protected under Lisbon as that will make the Charter of Fundamental Rights binding. Artcile 22 of the Charter states "The Union shall respect cultural, religious and linguistic diversity."

EYID: Events at the EU level and in the memeber states.

EYID: Photo Competition

Parliament: Focus on the EYID

Capitals of Culture: This year Liverpool (United Kingdom) and Stavanger (Norway) are European Capitals of Culture. Next year it is Linz (Austria) and Vilnius (Lithuania). it will be 2020 or 2021 before the Capital of Culture returns to Ireland.

Culture: How the application system works. Process for 2011 and 2012

thats all for now!

EU Links 12th Feb 2008

More stuff from the EU.

Telecoms: Only 22% of Europeans can identify 112 as the pan-EU emergency number (26 of the 27 Member States have made it possible for citizens to call 112 from fixed and mobile phones. An infringement proceeding against Bulgaria for lack of availability of 112 is still pending) I couldnt either it came up in a discussion last week, what would happen if we dialled 999 or 911 here in Germany

Bookshop: Get all sorts of publications, some free, some availible free only as PDF. A mine of information.

Culture, education and youth: Every European should have a "second mother tongue", say experts in report to the EU.

Commission: Current ongoing Public consultations. Take Part! Some interesting ones here including:

• Strategy for "Creative Content Online". Online consultation open until 29th of February 2008.


• Your attitude towards trade in seal products. Closing date 13th of February 2008


• Administrative burdens reduction - Your opinion matters. Ongoing


• Reforming the Budget, Changing Europe. Open until 15th of April 2008.

EUTube

Life online is what you make of it!



Chess Love - safe sex is a game for two

EU Links 10th Feb 2008

Heres another installment of EU links!

Commission: Tuesday is Safer Internet Day

Commission: The EU can help small businesses

Parliament: Excercise your rights. Submit a petition

Europa: Europe Direct. Have a question? Call or Email!

Debate Europe: Debate on the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty

Treaty of Lisbon Episode 3: Efficient and modern institutions

The Treaty of Lisbon will not change the institutional set up of the EU. What it will do is try to make it run that bit smoother. Which is no mean feet! I will look at each institution in turn.

European Parliament

This is the only directly elected body EU. The new treaty has boosted its powers as regards lawmaking, the EU budget and approval of international agreements, as I outlined in part 2. The composition of the parliament will also be changed - the number of MEPs shall be capped at 751 (750 plus the president of the parliament). Seats will be distributed among countries according to “degressive proportionality”, i.e. MEPs from more populous countries will each represent more people than those from smaller countries. No country may now have less than 6 or more than 96 MEPs. These will reduce Irelands share to 12. That means the Ireland - Dublin constituency will now only have 3 seats making it then same as Ireland - East, Ireland - South and Ireland - North West constituencies.

European Council

This body will become an official institution of the EU. It has the the role of driving EU policy-making. Although it will not gain any new powers, it will be headed by a newly created position of president. Elected by the European Council for 2½ years, the main job of the president will be to prepare the Council’s work, ensure its continuity and work to secure consensus among member countries. The president cannot simultaneously hold any elected position or office nationally. Tony Blair is said to be running for this poistion and Bertie Ahern has been mooted as a possible candidate.

The Council of the European Union
The Council represents the EU’s member governments. The main change brought by the Treaty of Lisbon concerns the decision‑making process. Firstly, the default voting method for the Council will now be qualified majority voting (QMV), except where the treaties require a different procedure (e.g. a unanimous vote). In practice, this means that when the new treaty enters into force, QMV will be extended to many new policy areas (e.g. immigration and culture).

In 2014, a new voting method will be introduced - double majority voting. To be passed by the Council, proposed EU laws will then require a majority not only of the EU’s member countries (55 %) but also of the EU population (65 %). This will reflect the legitimacy of the EU as a union of both peoples and nations. It will make EU lawmaking both more transparent and more effective. And it will be accompanied by a new mechanism (similar to the “Ioannina compromise”) enabling a small number of member governments (close to a blocking minority) to demonstrate their opposition to a decision. Where this mechanism is used, the Council will be required to do everything in its power to reach a satisfactory solution between the two parties, within a reasonable time period. This will make voting in council a real joy for mathamaticians. Countries such as the UK will have more votes (or weight) when they oppose something. This will be both a blessing and a curse. Though I think there are more advatages.

European Commission

Its main job is promoting the European public interest. The new treaty reduces the number of Commissioners - from 2014, only two thirds of member countries will have a Commissioner (e.g. with 27 countries, there would be 18 Commissioners), but the posts will rotate between all countries. The number of Commissioners can also be changed by the European Council (by unanimous vote).

In another major change, there will be a direct link between the results of the European elections and the choice of candidate for president of the Commission.

The president will also be stronger, as he/she will have the power to dismiss fellow Commissioners. Its about time this was brought in, presently the Parliament can only censure the entire commission (causing it normally to resign). This at least will mean commissioners will have to live up to standards.

EU high representative for foreign and security policy / Commission vice-president
The creation of this post is one of the major institutional innovations introduced by the Treaty of Lisbon. It should ensure consistency in the EU’s dealings with foreign countries and international bodies.

The high representative will have a dual role: representing the Council on common foreign and security policy matters and also being Commissioner for external relations. Conducting both common foreign policy and common defence policy, he/she will chair the periodic meetings of member countries’ foreign ministers (the “foreign affairs Council”). And he/she will represent the EU’s common foreign and security policy internationally, assisted by a new European external action service, composed of officials from the Council, Commission and national diplomatic services.

Havier Solana currently holds the role that this will replace. I think it is an excellent idea and especially as he will be on the Commission and Chair of the Foreign Affairs Council.

The other institutions
No significant changes have been made to the role or powers of the European Central Bank or the Court of Auditors. However, the new treaty broadens the scope of the European Court of Justice, especially as regards police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters, and changes some of its procedures. I am glad the ECJ is being extended it will give judical overview to EU actions.

Some other interesting research is out there on the treaty. I found these via Semper-Idem

UK House of Commons Library Research Paper 08/03 The Treaty of Lisbon: European Union
(Amendment) Bill (PDF)

UK House of Commons Library Research Paper 08/09 The Treaty of Lisbon: amendments to the Treaty on European Union. (PDF)

Any research links that I post will be neutral or from an institution such as a parliament. I will not put links to pro or anti arguements though I know I am areguing for the treaty, I would prefer if people read the information that is non-biased. Especially in Ireland as it willbe the subject of a referendum. If people have questions, leave a comment or email me at stephen (dot) spillane (at) gmail (dot) com. I will endeavour to get back to you.

The next post on the Treaty of Lisbon will look at the the Charter of Fundamental Rights.

Treaty of Lisbon Part 2: Making the EU more democratic

The Treaty of Lisbon makes changes to the structure of the European Union to try and negate the democratic deficit that exists in its structures. The treaty does this in a number of ways.

• Increased Role for the European Parliament


• An explicit role for National Parliaments


• The introduction of citizens' initiative


• Transparency in the Council of Ministers


• Defines EU Competences

Lets look at each of these points in turn.

Increased Role for the European Parliament

Parliament's powers have been gradually extended with every new treaty. The Treaty of Lisbon is no exception, giving more powers in relation to lawmaking, budget and international agreements.

The 'co-decision procedure' (renamed 'ordinary legislative procedure') has been extended to several new fields. This puts the Parlaiment on equal footing with the Council of Ministers. These new fields, where previously the parliament had little or no powers, include legal immigration, penal judicial cooperation (Eurojust, crime prevention, alignment of prison standards, offences and penalties), police cooperation (Europol) and some aspects of trade policy and agriculture.

The new treaty confirms the established practice of working with a multiannual financial framework, which Parliament will have to approve in future. It also abolishes the current distinction between 'compulsory' expenditure (like direct income support to farmers) and 'non-compulsory' expenditure, with the result that Parliament and the Council will determine all expenditure together. This innovation creates a new balance between the two institutions when approving the EU's budget.

Under the Treaty of Lisbon, the European Parliament's assent will be required for all international agreements in fields governed by the ordinary legislative procedure.

An explicit role for National Parliaments

For the first time National Parliaments are recognised and given a role in the operation of the EU, apart from transcribing EU legislation into national laws. A new clause clearly sets out the rights and duties of the national parliaments within the EU. It deals with their right to information, the way they monitor subsidiarity, mechanisms for evaluating policy in the field of freedom, security and justice, procedures for reforming the treaties, and so on.

The parliaments gain a new power to enforce the principle of subsidiarity within the EU. Subsidiarity means that – except in the areas where it has exclusive powers – the EU acts only where action will be more effective at EU-level than at national level. Any national parliament may flag a proposal for EU action which it believes does not respect this principle. This triggers a two-stage procedure:

• if one third of national parliaments consider that the proposal is not in line with subsidiarity, the Commission will have to re-examine it and decide whether to maintain, adjust or withdraw it


• if a majority of national parliaments agrees with the objection but the Commission decides to maintain its proposal anyway, the Commission will have to explain its reasons, and it will be up to the European Parliament and the Council to decide whether or not to continue the legislative procedure.

So this yellow card procedure can highlight where parlaiments believe the EU is over legislating. (we have the dutch to thank for this one. It was one of their "red lines"

The introduction of citizens' initiative

There are already many ways in which European citizens can find out about and take part in the political process of the EU. The newest of these is the citizens' initiative, whereby one million citizens, from any number of member countries, will be able to ask the Commission to present a proposal in any of the EU's areas of responsibility. The practical details of this initiative will be worked out once the Treaty of Lisbon takes effect.

I think will be a mainly only thing. I cannot imagine people posting something to a million people across the EU. It will be something like the the UK Prime Miniter's E-Petition which is written in opensource code.

Transparency in the Council of Ministers

National parliaments and citizens will now be able to see which decisions have been taken by which national ministers in the Council, since all its deliberations on legislative matters will be made public.

Yes finally! We get to find out what happens behind the closed doors in Brussels apart from all the handshaking which they always show on TV!


Defines EU Competences

The Lisbon Treaty sets out exactly what areas the EU can act in! In the Reform Treaty the policy areas of the EU are classified into one of the following three areas:

• Exclusive competence: In this area the EU has exclusive competence to make directives. It also has exclusive competence for the conclusion of an international agreement when its conclusion is provided for in a legislative act of the Union.


• Shared competence: The competence to legislate in this area is shared between the member states and the EU.


• Supporting competence: Here the EU is allowed to carry out actions to support, coordinate or supplement the actions of the Member States.

They are set out below.

Exclusive competence

• customs union


• the establishing of the competition rules necessary for the functioning of the internal market


• monetary policy for the Member States whose currency is the euro


• the conservation of marine biological resources under the common fisheries policy


• common commercial policy

Shared competence

• internal market


• social policy, for the aspects defined in this Treaty


• economic, social and territorial cohesion


• agriculture and fisheries, excluding the conservation of marine biological resources


• environment


• consumer protection


• transport


• trans-European networks


• energy


• area of freedom, security and justice


• common safety concerns in public health matters, for the aspects defined in this Treaty

Supporting competence

• protection and improvement of human health


• industry


• culture


• tourism


• education, youth, sport and vocational training


• civil protection


• administrative cooperation

Wow, long lists I know.

If you want to read the full text of the treaty, a hard copy will cost you €42 from the EU Bookshop. Alternatively you can download the PDF (English or Irish). The HTML version is availibe on EUR-LEX (English)

Document launched to highlight benefits of EU for citizens

Via BreakingNews.ie

A new document has been set up to highlight the benefits of the European Union for its citizens in 2006.

'Europe and You: A snapshot of EU achievements' is aimed at giving Europeans a better understanding of what the European Union does.

The 10 achievements listed include cheaper phone calls when traveling; the end to misleading claims on food and the reduction of risks from dangerous chemicals.

Director of the European Commission Representation in Ireland, Martin Territt, said there were more consumer-friendly developments in the pipeline for 2007.

More information on the EU 2006 workbook is available at the following link: http://ec.europa.eu/snapshot2006/index_en.htm

Morning Briefing, December 20th

argh 8 minutes to do the morning briefing ahhhhhhhh!

BreakingNews.ie reports on the opening of the new Port Tunnel in Dublin.

BreakingNews.ie also reports that the Irish Government will be raising the Minimum Wage! wooo!

RTÉ reports that Bupa are going to appeal the high court verdict on risk equalisation


RTÉ also reports that the EU Commission is to rule on Ryanairs take over bid for Aer Lingus today

argh 1 min left hence the shortness

Irish support for EU membership, still the highest.

According to a new Euro-barometer survey which was released today Ireland still tops the table for support for continued membership of the EU. Ireland is at 78% closely followed by Luxembourg (74%). The UK is at the bottom of the current member states at 34% with only Croatia below it at 32%.

Also 87% of people in Ireland believe we have benefited from membership of the EU. Ireland also tops the poll on the positive image of the EU (73%).

On trust in EU institutions 60% of those questioned trusted the European Commission and 66% trusted the European Parliament which came out as being the most trusted institution in the EU.

On EU policies, for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Ireland is languishing near the end of the table 59% support and is right at the bottom of the table for support for a Common Defence and Security Policy with 52%

Less then half of those interviewed were in favour of further enlargement on the Union, with 48% in favour of expansion.

On the EU Constitution, 56% were in favour but this could easily be changed as 35% of respondents were "unable to express an opinion" (Euro-Barometer 66, December 2006, p33)

On the issue of same-sex marriage support is split across Europe 49% disagreeing and 44% in favour of it. In Ireland 41% agreed to this.

On the issue of Gay Adoption, 68% of respondents were against it with only 26% in favour. In Ireland support was slightly higher at 30%

For the full report click here

Commission Proposes Total EU Ban on Cat and Dog Fur

The European Commission adopted a draft regulation on 19th November to ban the import, export and sale of cat and dog fur in the EU. The European Commission stated that evidence to suggest that cat and dog fur is being sold on the European market marketed as synthetic or from animals such as rabbits. Cat and dog farming for fur production is not known to be practiced in the EU opening the prospect that the origin of such fur comes from third country imports. A number of Member States have introduced national legislation on cat and dog fur. The European Commission believes that differences in Member State approaches to the issue of fur production and labelling may pose difficulties for consumers, retailers and traders carrying out cross-border transactions in other types of fur. The Commission proposes to address these differences through creating a harmonised approach to prohibiting all production, marketing, and imports and exports of cat and dog fur in the EU. The draft regulation will be considered by the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers for adoption by the co-decision procedure.