Committee Reports > List of Committees > Joint > 2001 > Committee on European Affairs > Report - Annual Report of the Joint Committee on European Affairs, 2001

TITHE AN OIREACHTAIS

TUARASCÁIL BHLIANTÚIL

ón gComhchoiste um Ghnóthaí Eorpacha Obair an Chomhchoiste

ANNUAL REPORT

of the Joint Committee on European Affairs Work of the Joint Committee

2001

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

The Joint Committee on European Affairs which was established by Order of Dáil Éireann of 13th November, 1997 and Order of Seanad Éireann of 19th November, 1997 is required under paragraphs 3, 4, 5 and 6 of Standing Order 79A, Dáil Éireann and paragraphs 3, 4, 5 and 6 of Standing Order 63, Seanad Éireann to make an annual report to both Houses of the Oireachtas. This report outlines:

·work carried out by the Committee

·work in progress by the Committee

·attendance and voting records at meetings of the Committee

·its future work programme

·such other matters as the Committee deems appropriate.

The Orders of Reference are set out at Appendix 1.

2. Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Convenors and Membership

Deputy Bernard J. Durkan was elected as Chairman of the Joint Committee on 10 December 1997. Deputy Séamus Kirk was elected as Vice-Chairman of the Joint Committee on 10 December 1997. The Chairman of the Joint Committee is also Chairman of the Dáil Select Committee.

Deputies Pat Carey and Jack Wall are the Convenors of the Committee whose function it is to ensure the availability and attendance of Members or their substitutes for meetings of the Committee and, in particular, to ensure Members’ availability for divisions. The Committee welcomed the membership of Deputy Jim O’Keeffe with effect from 29^th June 2000 to replace Deputy Gay Mitchell and Deputy Nora Owen with effect from 29^th March 2001 to replace Deputy Ulick Burke and Deputy John Bruton with effect from 4^th October, 2001 to replace Deputy Phil Hogan

The Members of the Joint Committee are set out at Appendix 2.

3. Meetings, Attendance and Recording

Meetings of the Joint Committee took place in Committee Rooms in Leinster House 2000. Meetings were in public unless otherwise ordered by the Joint Committee.

Televised coverage of public meetings of the Joint Committee was broadcast live within the Leinster House complex and was available for subsequent public broadcasting by R.T.É. and other T.V./Radio service.

Copies of reports published by the Joint Committee may be obtained from the Clerk, Joint Committee on European Affairs, Kildare House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2. A list of these reports is set out at Section 5.

4. Numbers and Duration of Meetings

The Joint Committee met on 39 occasions in the year under report. The number of hours discussion involved in these meetings was in excess of 53 hours. The date and subject matter of each meeting is set out at Appendix 3.

Records of attendance by Members of the Joint Committee and their duly nominated substitutes at meetings of the Joint Committee are set out at Appendix 4.

Minutes of proceedings of the Joint Committee meetings in public session are attached at Appendix 6.

The Joint Committee welcome the participation of members of the European Parliament at a number of meetings during the year.

A list of conferences and meetings, which the Joint Committee was represented, is at Appendix 5.

5. Joint Committee Reports

During the year under report the Joint Committee published the following reports:

·Annual Report 2000

·Work Programme 2000

·Treaty of Nice

·Recommendations for the adoption of a new treaty of the European Union

·Conclusions and the plan of action of the European Council in regard to terrorism

6. Work in Progress

The Joint Committee has the following work in progress at present:

·Convention on Future of Europe

·EU Enlargement

·European aspects of the Drugs problem

·EU Directive on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild flora and fauna (Special Areas of Conservation)

·Report on the Future of Europe

The 2002 Draft Work Programme is attached at Appendix 7.