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EU news you can use, 21 February 2008

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Commission assesses Ireland's stability programme

Climate change greatest challenge facing humanity

Commissioner Dimas calls on European Council and Parliament to fast track climate change proposals

News in brief

Agenda

Public consultations

Spotlight on: Mock Council of the European Union

	Commission assesses Ireland's stability programme The European Commission has encouraged Ireland to maintain a balanced budget in structural terms, while letting the automatic stabilisers absorb the slowdown in the economy. This is to reflect developments in the residential property sector and a deterioration of the economic outlook in key trading partners. The Commission made the comment in an update this week of the stability programmes of Ireland, Greece and Spain. "Ireland is facing challenges in its transition to a period of lower but more sustainable economic growth. But it must try and avoid a deterioration of the budgetary situation beyond that implied by automatic stabilisers. The economy is slowing down, but the growth prospects remain good and well above the euro area and EU averages. Ireland should also consider further pension reforms to curb the expected increase in age-related expenditure," said Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquín Almunia. With regard to the long-term sustainability of public finances, Spain and Ireland are at medium risk and are invited to take further measures to contain the impact of ageing on spending, while Greece remains at high risk, which calls for continued budgetary consolidation and further reforms of pensions and health care systems. For further information click here
	Climate change greatest challenge facing humanity Climate change is the biggest challenge facing humanity, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, John Gormley told an EU Seminar on Climate Change this week. It is, he said, the challenge that will define this generation, and most likely the generation after this. And we would be remembered and judged on how we respond to this challenge. With the scientific research, which was last year collated and presented by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, we now knew very well what that challenge is, he said. “That research concluded that climate change has been caused by man-made emissions, and if these emissions continue to grow they will have potentially catastrophic effects throughout the globe by the end of this century,” he said. It would impact and threaten the lives and safety of hundreds of millions, possibly billions, of people globally through famine, flood and disease. “The European Union has recognised this challenge, and has shown considerable leadership on the issue, especially in the last 12 months,” he added. “Last year the EU signed up to a 20 per cent reduction in emission levels within the Union by 2020. In addition we committed ourselves to increasing that figure to 30 per cent if a global agreement on CO2 reductions can be achieved.”
	Commissioner Dimas calls on European Council and Parliament to fast track climate change proposals Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas this week called for the early adoption of greenhouse gas cutting measures by the European Parliament and the Council. This appeal came on the eve of the third anniversary of the Kyoto Protocol's entry into force. "The period during which the EU and other industrialised countries must meet our Kyoto emission targets - the 2008-2012 commitment period, started on 1 January this year," Commissioner Dimas said. "The most recent emission projections show we are on the right track, but the early adoption and implementation of proposals put forward by the Commission would help to ensure success. I am referring to legislation to reduce CO2 emissions from cars and fuels and the inclusion of aviation in the Emissions Trading System from 2011. Swift action on last month's climate action and renewable energy package will also give us an early start towards meeting our ambitious targets for 2020." Under the Kyoto Protocol 15 EU Member States are committed to reducing their collective greenhouse gas emissions over the 2008-2012 period to an annual average of 8% below levels in the chosen base year (1990 in most cases). For further information click here
	News in brief What skills will Irish workers need in 2015? The European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training in Europe (CEDEFOP) has launched a skill forecast report for the European Economy in 2015. Its main findings show that demand for skills and qualifications are being driven upwards in most occupations by sweeping technological and organisational changes. For further information click here Commission invites social partners to negotiate about European Works Councils The European Commission has invited trade unions' and employers' representatives to help improve the role of European Works Councils in consulting and informing employees. European Works Councils (EWCs) currently operate in 820 major companies across the EU, covering some 14.5 million employees. This second stage consultation gives social partners the opportunity to start negotiations on updating and improving the way the bodies operate, with a view to revising the existing legislation. For further information click here Cohesion policy and energy challenge: boosting results in EU regions Danuta Hübner, Commissioner for Regional Policy, this week explained how Cohesion policy for 2007-2013 will contribute to developing renewable energy and improving energy efficiency in the EU's regions. Nearly €9 billion will be invested in these sectors. The Commission will also act as facilitator by supporting Member States in making timely energy investments, and by promoting the sharing of know-how among regions. For further information click here Protection of the EU's financial Interests: Commission welcomes European Parliament’s call for increased co-operation by Member States The European Parliament this week adopted a report on the protection of the EU’s financial interests. The European Commission welcomed this document as an important support in the fight against fraud affecting the EU budget. For further information click here
	Agenda Friday, 22 February: Joint Employment Report 2008 The Commission will present the annual Joint Employment Report (JER). This report will give an update of the employment situation in the EU, trace the principal reforms undertaken and highlight the main challenges for the future. It also includes the latest indicators on the European labour market performance. Friday, 22 February: Launch of Dr Roland Erne's book "European Unions: Labour's Quest for a Transnational Democracy" The European Commission Representation in Ireland is proud to announce that Dr Roland Erne of the UCD School of Business, (Industrial Relations and Human Resources Group), will officially launch his book "European Unions: Labour's Quest for a Transnational Democracy". The event will take place at 4pm on 22 February at European Union House, 43 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2 Monday, 25 February: Joint Report on Social Protection and Social Inclusion The Commission will present the annual Joint Report on Social Protection and Social Inclusion, prepared jointly with Member States. Monday 25 - Tuesday 26 February: Regions for Economic Change – Sharing Excellence The Commission will hold its second annual conference of the "Regions for Economic Change" initiative under the title "Regions for Economic Change – Sharing Excellence". Tuesday, 26 February: The EU and Migration – Challenges and Opportunities The European Commission Representation in Ireland will host a seminar on the EU and Migration in European Union House 2 at 2pm. Speakers: Conor Lenihan TD, Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Integration Policy Dr Steve Loyal, School of Sociology, UCD Siobhan O'Donoghue, Director, Migrant Rights Centre Ireland Dr Constantin Gurdgiev, Editor, Business and Finance magazine Tuesday, 26 February: EU radio network launch The EU radio network will be launched by European Commission Vice-President Margot Wallström and the presidents of Deutche Welle and Radio France International. Thursday 28 - Friday 29 February: Visit of European Commission Vice-President Margot Wallström to Ireland European Commission Vice-President Margot Wallström will address the Forum on Europe in Dublin Castle on Thursday morning, 28 February, at 11.00 am on "The Lisbon Treaty: giving more power to the people". Later on, the same day, she will attend the launch of "Equality Issues" an exhibition highlighting the issues and actors that have advanced equality rights since the 19th century, at Liberty Hall. Tuesday, 4 March: Public lecture on the Treaty of Lisbon The European Commission Representation in Ireland is supporting a public lecture organised by the Irish Society for European Law on the topic: "the Treaty of Lisbon in perspective". This public lecture will take place at 6.30 pm in European Union House, 43 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2. The speakers are: Minister Dick Roche T.D. and Professor Deirdre Curtin of the University of Utrecht. Senator Maurice Hayes, chairman of the National Forum on Europe, will chair the event. Thursday, March 6: Consumer Rights – How extensive should Europe’s role be? The European Commission Representation in Ireland will host a public debate in European Union House at 11.30am Speakers: Micheál Martin TD, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Ann Fitzgerald, Chief Executive, National Consumer Agency Tina Leonard, Director, European Consumer Centre Ireland Richard Nesbitt, Chairperson, Retail Ireland Thursday, 6 March: International Women's Day – An opportunity for girls to seize IT opportunity Attracting young women to take up a career in ICT is essential to combat the shortage of staff in this crucial sector. Viviane Reding, Commissioner for Information Society and Media, is following up last year's "Shadowing exercise" with a one day conference aimed at motivating young women to start a career in ICTs. Monday, March 10: Public debate on "European Intercultural Dialogue – Engaging with each other, communicating with the wider world" The European Commission Representation in Ireland will host a public debate in the Alexander Hotel, Fenian St., Dublin 2 at 6.30pm Speakers: Philip Watt, Director, National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism Eugene Downes, Chief Executive, Culture Ireland Mary Fitzgerald, The Irish Times. Thursday, 20 March: Launch of Intercultural and Anti-Racism week 2008 On Thursday, 20 March, the eve of the UN International Day Against Racism, the official launch of Intercultural and Anti Racism week 2008 will take place in European Union House, 43 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2. The Intercultural and Anti Racism Week is one of the events being run by the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism as part of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue.
	Public consultations Future of EU Budget The European Commission recently launched an open debate on the future of the EU budget. All interested parties at local, regional, national and European levels are invited to contribute to the consultation which will cover the role of the EU budget and its political priorities. The Commission hopes to get ideas on the structure and direction of the European Union’s spending priorities for the future and the best ways of providing the resources necessary to fund EU policies. The consultation will be open until April 2008 and, in order to guide the debate, the Commission has issued a consultation paper which highlights a number of key questions. For further information see here
	Spotlight on: Mock Council of the European Union On Wednesday, schools from across Ireland were locked in intense negotiation at the Mock European Council, on the draft resolution: "Should alcohol advertising and sponsorship be banned from sport". The day long event was attended by 29 schools at Dublin Castle, who represented European Member States, the European Institutions and lobby groups for the sports organisations and alcohol interests. The Council was addressed by Minister for European Affairs Dick Roche T.D., and Ruairi Quinn T.D., Labour Party Spokesperson on Education and Science, who informed the students on their experiences of European Council negotiations. Martin Territt, Director of the European Commission Representation in Ireland, also addressed the opening session and was on hand to present the European Commission perspective. During the day students got to meet working diplomats from the Member States they were representing and find out more about their national positions. The students had a taste of the rigours of European political debate at the highest level and got to see the way the EU makes decisions by trying it out in practice. "My students learned more from having a go at this than I could ever get across by just talking in the classroom," said David O'Grady, a teacher from St Paul's Community College Waterford. Each team made a presentation and the team representing the European Parliament suggested amendments. A team representing the drinks industry also had a chance to make a submission. After a lively debate with well-informed contributions from all the participating teams, a vote was taken. The proposal was soundly rejected. Finally, the students also competed for a trip to Strasbourg in October 2008, for 25 places along three teachers. Each of them contributed a 500 word project on alcohol and advertising for the "Euroscola" prize given by the European Parliament. The winning schools were Schull Community College and Carrick-on-Shannon Community school. Team Winners Schull Community College representing Portugal Molly O'Mahoney Catriona O'Regan Peadar O'Sullivan Carrick on Shannon Community School representing Austria Luke Slaughter Dan Gillian Pauline McElhore Background The Council of the European Union or Council of Ministers is the EU's main decision-making body and is made up of one government minister from each of the 27 EU Member States. The schools which participated were: Blessington Community College De La Salle, Co Wicklow Ursuline College, Sligo Community College, Dunshaughlin CBS, Thurles Mercy School, Tralee Loreto Secondary School, Clonmel Clongowes Wood, Co Kildare St Paul's Community College, Waterford Loreto Secondary School, Kilkenny Athlone Community College Scoil Criost Ri, Portlaoise Gorey Community School Vocational School, Drumshanbo Sandford Park, Ranelagh, Dublin 6 Community School Carrick-on-Shannon St Conleth's College, Dublin 4 Holy Child Killiney, Co Dublin Gonzaga College, Ranelagh Dublin 6 St Patrick's College, Cavan Schull Community College, Co Cork Mount Temple Community School, Dublin 3 Belvedere College, Dublin 1 Alexandra College, Dublin 6 Rosemount School, Co Dublin St. Andrews, Booterstown, Co Dublin The King's Hospital, Dublin 20 John Scottus Secondary School, Dublin 4 Newpark Comprehensive, Blackrock, Co Dublin

Last update: 12/12/2009 |Top