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APPENDIX 8Minutes of the meetings of the Joint Committee on European AffairsJOINT COMMITTEE ON EUROPEAN AFFAIRSProceedings of the Joint CommitteeWednesday 24th January 2007Attendance The following members attended:
The committee commenced in public session at 02.35 pm 1.Priorities of the German Presidency of the European Union: Discussion with His Excellency, Mr. Christian Pauls, Ambassador of Germany to Ireland On behalf of the Committee the Chairman welcomed their Excellencies Mr. Christian Pauls, Ambassador of Germany to Ireland, Mr. Paulo de Castilho, Ambassador of Portugal to Ireland and Mr. Franc Mikša, Ambassador of Slovenia to Ireland, to the meeting. In his address to the Committee His Excellency Mr. Christian Pauls emphasised that the priorities of the German Presidency will include the continuation of the EU reform process to facilitate implementation of the EU constitutional treaty. In the exchange of views that followed a number of matters were discussed including the following: •Within the framework of the team presidency, Germany’s EU Presidency and that of the succeeding countries Portugal and Slovenia will cooperate to advance medium and longer-term issues in close cooperation. •Developing an energy policy to increase energy efficiency •The challenges of climate and environmental change •Europe’s role in meeting the challenges of a globalised world •The Berlin declaration to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Treaty of Rome •EU-Africa Summit which will take place during the Portuguese presidency in the second half of 2007 •Further completion of the common area of freedom, security and justice •Further enlargement of the EU The committee suspended from 03.32 pm to 03.34 pm and resumed in private session. 7.Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 03.41 until the 31 January. John Deasy T.D. Chairman 31st January 2007 JOINT COMMITTEE ON EUROPEAN AFFAIRSProceedings of the Joint CommitteeWednesday 31st January 2007Attendance The following members attended:
The committee commenced in public session at 02.04 pm 1. EU Neighbourhood Policy with a focus on the Caucasus: Discussion with Mr. Denis Corby, Director of the Caucasus Policy Institute, King’s College, University of London On behalf of the Committee the Chairman welcomed Mr. Denis Corby, Director of the Caucasus Policy Institute, King’s College, University of London, to the meeting. In his address to the Committee Mr. Corby focused on the EU Neighbourhood Policy in the Caucuses including the role that the EU’s neighbours play in the EU’s energy security and energy policy. In the exchange of views that followed a number of matters were discussed including the following: •The European neighbourhood policy as the way forward in creating the new relationship with the Caucasus •Russia’s relations with its neighbours in the region •EU-Russia energy relations, the EDU’s future energy policy and the need for an EU common energy policy •The need to manage existing nuclear installations in neighbouring countries in a safe and environmentally friendly manner •EU-Turkey relations and the EU’s Partnership and cooperation agreements On behalf of the Committee the chairman thanked Mr. Corby for attending the meeting. The committee suspended from 03.02 pm to 03.05 pm 2.Improving the EU Regulatory Environment: Discussion with Mr. Brendan Butler, Director of EU and International Affairs, IBEC. On behalf of the Committee the chairman welcomed Mr. Brendan Butler, Director of EU and International Affairs, IBEC, Mr. Arthur Forbes, Assistant Director, European Affairs, IBEC Brussels Office and Mr. Terry Landers, Head of Corporate Affairs, Microsoft, to the meeting. In his address to the Committee Mr. Butler focused on the impact of EU regulation on business in Ireland and across Europe. During the course of the exchange of views that followed the presentation Mr. Butler undertook to send information to the Committee on the increased cost to business in Ireland from regulatory compliance and the absence of regulatory impact assessments in relation to proposed legislation. Following receipt of this information the Committee would consider inviting a response from the Department of the Taoiseach on the issues raised. The committee suspended from 03.49 pm to 03.50 pm and resumed in private session 8.Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 03.53 John Deasy T.D. Chairman 7th February 2007 JOINT COMMITTEE ON EUROPEAN AFFAIRSProceedings of the Joint CommitteeWednesday 7th February 2007Attendance The following members attended:
The committee commenced in public session at 12.11 p.m. 1. Issues of Current Interest in the EU: Exchange of views with Mr. Pavol Paška, Speaker of the Parliament of Slovakia On behalf of the Committee the Chairman welcomed the Speaker of the Parliament of Slovakia, Mr. Pavol Paška, and his delegation to the meeting. In his address to the committee Mr. Paška focussed on the tasks facing the European Union today. In the exchange of views that followed a number of matters were discussed including the following: •The labour market experience of Slovakian migrant workers in Ireland •The EU’s Common, Foreign and Security Policy including strengthening security and stability in the Western Balkans •Slovakia’s support for the continuation of the ratification process of the EU constitutional treaty •The EU’s external relations and the question of the status of Kosovo •The European Neighbourhood Policy including the EU’s relations with Ukraine •The EU’s energy markets and security of energy supply •The focus of the Conference of Speakers, to be held in May, under the Presidency of the Parliament of Slovakia. On behalf of the Committee the Chairman thanked Mr. Paška and his delegation for attending the meeting The committee suspended from 1.01 pm to 1.02 pm and resumed in private session 6.Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 1.05 p.m. Barry Andrews T.D. Vice Chairman 20 February 2007 JOINT COMMITTEE ON EUROPEAN AFFAIRSProceedings of the Joint CommitteeWednesday 14th February 2007Attendance The following members attended:
The committee commenced in public session at 2.05 p.m. 1. The European Commission’s trade relations with less developed countries: Exchange of views with Trade Matters On behalf of the Committee the acting Chairman welcomed Ms. Niamh Garvey, Christian Aid, Mr. Colin Roche, Oxfam Ireland and Mr. David Joyce, Irish Congress of Trade Unions to the meeting. In their address to the committee the delegation focussed on the European Union’s trade policies and the importance of the current WTO trade negotiations for less developed countries. In the exchange of views that followed a number of matters were discussed including the following: •The trade impact of regional trade agreements on less developed countries including access to medicines for the people of these countries •The development impact of Economic Partnership Agreements on less developed countries in the context of trade liberalisation •The question of incorporating core labour standards in all such bilateral agreements •Promoting social and environmental criteria at WTO level On behalf of the Committee the Chairman thanked the witnesses for attending the meeting The committee went into private session at 2.44 p.m. 6.Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 2.50 p.m. John Deasy T.D. Chairman 28th February 2007 JOINT COMMITTEE ON EUROPEAN AFFAIRSProceedings of the Joint CommitteeWednesday 28th February 2007Attendance The following members attended:
The committee commenced in public session at 2.40 p.m. 1. Armenia and the EU: Exchange of views with Mr. Vartan Oskanian, Foreign Minister of Armenia On behalf of the Committee the Chairman welcomed Mr. Vartan Oskanian, Foreign Minister of Armenia, and his delegation to the meeting. Mr. Oskanian was accompanied by His Excellency Dr. Vahe Gabrielyan, the Ambassador of Armenia to Ireland. His Excellency Mr. Justin Harman, the Ambassador of Ireland to the Republic of Armenia, was also in attendance. Discussion topics at the meeting included: Development of relations between the EU and Armenia including the EU Armenia Action Plan as an opportunity to enhance economic integration and political cooperation between Armenia and the EU; relations between Armenia and neighbouring countries; the Nagorno Karabakh conflict; forthcoming parliamentary and presidential elections in Armenia and the integrity of the electoral process; implementing human rights in Armenia; strengthening bilateral relations between Ireland and Armenia. On behalf of the Committee the Chairman thanked Mr. Oskanian for attending the meeting. The committee suspended from 3.24 p.m. untill 3.25 p.m. and resumed in private session for the remainder of the meeting. 7.Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 3.31 p.m. John Deasy T.D. Chairman 6th March 2007 JOINT COMMITTEE ON EUROPEAN AFFAIRSProceedings of the Joint CommitteeTuesday 6th March 2007Attendance The following members attended:
The committee commenced in public session at 2.35 p.m. 1. A Reflection on the European Union at 50: Exchange of views with Commissioner Joe Borg, European Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs. On behalf of the Committee the Chairman welcomed Commissioner Joe Borg, European Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, and his delegation to the meeting. Mr. Martin Territt, Director of the European Commission’s Representation in Ireland, also accompanied the delegation. Discussion topics at the meeting included: Developing a future maritime policy for the European Union and formulating a national position for Ireland in response to the European Commission’s Green Paper; the opportunities offered by Ireland’s marine sector and the importance of developing its competitiveness and environmental sustainability; the European Commission’s policy in relation to restructuring the fishing industry and securing the future of the European fisheries sector; the period of reflection on the future of Europe and efforts to find a way forward on the European Constitutional Treaty. On behalf of the Committee the Chairman thanked Commissioner Borg for attending the meeting. The committee suspended from 3.55 pm until 4.02 pm and resumed in private session for the remainder of the meeting 6.Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 4.11 p.m. John Deasy T.D. Chairman 28th March 2007 JOINT COMMITTEE ON EUROPEAN AFFAIRSProceedings of the Joint CommitteeWednesday 28th March 2007Attendance The following members attended:
The committee commenced in private session at 2.06 p.m.12.Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 2.24 p.m. John Deasy T.D. Chairman |
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