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European Commission in Ireland

In this issue - 15 June
Top News Other news Agenda		Calls for Tender/Proposals Public consultations

No more mobile roaming charges in the EU

Mobile phone roaming charges within the European Union ended at midnight last night. From today, 15 June, EU citizens can make calls within the European Union for the price of a local call, marking the end of excessive roaming bills. However consumers are advised that when outside the country, data charges will vary between phone companies relative to individual contracts. The Commission has said that it will carefully watch the implementation of the new rules and make sure that Europeans fully benefit from them and that the European market remains competitive.

Ireland 2nd highest prices for consumer goods and services - Eurostat

New Eurostat figures show Irish prices for a broad cross-section of consumer goods and services were the second highest in the EU, coming in at 125% of EU average in 2016. With the exception of consumer electronics, Ireland was above the EU average for all the price categories surveyed. Ireland was highest in the EU for alcoholic beverages and tobacco (175% of the EU average), third highest for "personal transport equipment" i.e. cars, motor-bikes and bicycles (111% of EU average), fourth highest for restaurants and hotels and fifth highest for food and non-alcoholic drinks (both 120% of EU average).

Ireland sees one of the highest growths in employment in the EU

Ireland (3.5%) recorded the second highest employment growth in the EU in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the first quarter of 2016. Malta (6%) saw the highest growth rate over the same period with the EU average being 1.4%. Compared to the previous quarter, Ireland recorded a rise of 1.1% in employment in the first quarter of 2017, fourth highest in the EU after Estonia (+2.8%), Malta (+1.7%) and Sweden (+1.2%). According to Eurostat estimates, 234.2 million people were employed in the EU in the first quarter of this year, of which 154.8 million were in the euro area, highest levels ever recorded in both areas.

Resettlement of refugees

The Commission this week reviewed progress made in the EU's emergency relocation and resettlement schemes. Almost 10,300 persons have been relocated since January 2017, a fivefold increase compared to the same period in 2016. As of 9 June, the total number of relocations stood at 20,869 (13,973 from Greece, 6,896 from Italy). Progress on resettlement is also continuing with 16,419 of the 22,504 resettlements agreed in July 2015 having already been carried out. Resettlements under the EU-Turkey Statement reached a new record high in May 2017 with almost 1,000 Syrian refugees being provided with safe and legal pathways to Europe. The total number of resettlements from Turkey under the Statement now stands at 6,254. To date, 459 refugees have been relocated to Ireland from Greece and 520 have been resettled under the 20 July scheme, including under the 1:1 mechanism with Turkey No relocations from Italy to Ireland have yet taken place.

Commission wants tougher supervision of central counterparties (CCPs)

The European Market Infrastructure Regulation means that central counterparties (CCPs) from the EU are already well regulated and equipped to deal with financial distress. However, further reforms to ensure a more consistent and robust supervision of CCPs in EU and non-EU countries are now needed to deal with emerging challenges. CCPs have become a systemically-important part of the financial sector and their importance is growing. In addition, the foreseen withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU will have a significant impact on the regulation and supervision of clearing in Europe. The Commission is proposing the establishment of a supervisory mechanism responsible for ensuring a more coherent and consistent supervision of EU CCPs, as well more robust supervision for CCPs in non-EU countries.

Other news

Terrorism: 142 failed, foiled and completed attacks in the EU in 2016

According to a new Europol report, there were a total of 142 failed, foiled and completed attacks in eight EU Member States in 2016. More than half (76) of them were reported by the United Kingdom. France reported 23 attacks, Italy 17, Spain 10, Greece 6, Germany 5, Belgium 4 and the Netherlands 1 attack. 142 victims died in terrorist attacks, and 379 were injured in the EU. Although there were a large number of terrorist attacks not connected with jihadism, the latter accounts for the most serious forms of terrorist activity as nearly all reported fatalities and most of the casualties were the result of jihadist terrorist attacks.

New online tool for company information

The European Commission has launched a single platform to access company information in the EU. Linking national business registers will facilitate cross-border trade and increase confidence and transparency in the EU Single Market. With an increasing number of cross-border businesses using the opportunities offered by the single market, the demand for access to information on companies with businesses in different Member States has increased. Before the introduction of this new platform, information on companies had to be requested separately from the diverse national registers through often lengthy and costly procedures.

10% of EU's exports of medicinal and pharmaceutical products from Ireland

According to new Eurostat figures, Ireland exported almost €14 billion worth of medicinal and pharmaceutical products in 2016, up from €2.3 billion in 2001 and just under 10% of total EU exports. The EU is the world's biggest exporter of medicinal and pharmaceutical products with total exports worth €144 billion in 2016. It was followed by Switzerland at €65 billion and the United States at €47 billion). The main destinations of EU medicinal and pharmaceutical exports are the United States (34% of all EU exports in 2016) followed by Switzerland (11%), China and Japan (both 6%) and Russia (4%). The EU imported €75 billion worth of medicinal and pharmaceutical products in 2016 of which Ireland accounted for 4% or €3 billion.

Erasmus+ app

The Commission has launched a new Erasmus+ Mobile App. The app will allow participants: to easily track their progress in the different administrative steps before, during and after their stay abroad; to share and vote for their preferred tips to help others integrate into the local community; and to improve their language skills via a direct link to the Erasmus+ Online Linguistic Support platform. Nine million people have benefited from exchanges abroad since the launch of the Erasmus+ programme in 1987. This includes approximately 88,000 Irish beneficiaries.

Per capita GDP second highest in Ireland

Ireland comes second only to Luxembourg in the latest figures for per capita GDP in the EU at 177% of the average (2016). Bulgaria (49%), Romania and Croatia (both 59%) had the lowest levels. The latest Eurostat figures also looked at Active Individual Consumption (AIC) rates. AIC measures goods and services actually consumed by individuals. AIC in Ireland was below the EU average at 97% of the mean in 2016. Highest per capita AIC levels were recorded in Luxembourg (132%) followed by Germany (122%) and Austria (118%). Lowest AIC levels were recorded in Bulgaria (53%) and Croatia (59%).

Sharing copyright protected works may constitute infringement

The European Court of Justice has ruled that making available and managing an online platform for sharing copyright-protected works, such as ‘The Pirate Bay’, may constitute an infringement of copyright. Even if the works in question are placed online by the users of the online sharing platform, the operators of that platform play an essential role in making those works available.

Agreement on cheaper cross border parcel delivery services in the EU

Cross-border parcel delivery services in the EU are set to become more transparent and better monitored. Increased price transparency and more effective oversight should make the market more efficient and help bring down those tariffs which are not fully justified by objective factors such as wages or geographical distance. The Council today agreed its position (a 'general approach') on the draft regulation, which is part of EU efforts to boost e-commerce under the digital single market. Under the Council general approach, the Commission will set up a website to display the cross-border delivery rates offered by delivery firms. This dedicated website will make it easier for consumers and companies to compare rates and choose the best ones.

Purely plant-based products cannot be called ‘milk’/’cream

The European Court of Justice has ruled that purely plant-based products cannot, in principle, be marketed with designations such as ‘milk’, ‘cream’, ‘butter’, ‘cheese’ or ‘yoghurt’, which are reserved by EU law for animal products. The same is true if those designations are accompanied by clarifying or descriptive terms indicating the plant origin of the product concerned. However, there is a list of exceptions.

Commission opens formal investigations into Nike's, Sanrio's and Universal Studios' licensing and distribution practices

The European Commission has launched three separate antitrust investigations into whether certain licensing and distribution practices of Nike, Sanrio and Universal Studios illegally restrict traders from selling licensed merchandise cross-border and online within the EU Single Market. Nike, Sanrio and Universal Studios license the rights for some of the world's best known brands. Universal Studios, for example, is the licensor of rights for the "Minions" and "Despicable Me".

Agenda

Monday 12 to Friday 30 June: EU Aid Volunteer photo exhibition, Europe House, Dublin 2

In cooperation with Comhlámh, the European Commission Representation in Ireland is hosting a photo exhibition on the EU Aid Volunteer initiative. The exhibition features EU volunteers working with organisations across Europe as well as local volunteers working on humanitarian projects across Asia, Africa and Latin America. It will be open to the public on weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm from 12 to 30 June at Europe House,

Friday 16 June: Economic and Financial Affairs Council, Luxembourg

Agenda highlights include: VAT (reduced rate for electronic publications and the reverse charge mechanism) as well as the European Semester and the Banking Union.

Friday 16 June: Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council, Luxembourg

The agenda for this meeting will be available shortly at the link below.

Monday 19 June: Foreign Affairs Council, Luxembourg

The Council will take stock of the implementation of the EU Global Strategy almost one year after its presentation to the European Council. The Ministers will also discuss counter-terrorism, EU-NATO cooperation as well as Iraq, Migration, the Gulf Crisis,

Monday 19 June: Environment Council, Luxembourg

The Council will discuss recent developments in international climate change. Ministers will restate the strong commitment of the EU and its member states to the Paris Agreement and the process for its full implementation. The full agenda is available on the link below.

Friday 23 June: ICEL Eversheds Sutherland Procurement Conference, Royal Irish Academy

The annual ICEL (Irish Centre for European Law) procurement conference takes place on Friday 23 June. Speakers include three of the UK's leading procurement thinkers, Sue Arrowsmith, Fionnuala McCredie QC and Abbey Semple. The Hon. Mr Justice Donnell Deeny, the leading Northern Irish procurement judge, will chair part of the conference.

Tuesday 20 June: General Affairs Council (Art. 50), Luxembourg

The Council, in an EU27 format, will prepare the European Council (Art. 50) on 22 June 2017. Ministers will discuss the state of play of Brexit negotiations, after the first round of talks with the UK which is expected to take place ahead of the Council meeting. In the margins of the meeting, ministers will discuss the procedure to decide on the relocation of the two EU agencies currently based in the UK: the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the European Banking Authority (EBA).

Thursday 22 June: Conference on "the EU Construction & Demolition Waste Management Protocol", Europe House, Dublin 2

On 22 June 2017 the European Commission is hosting a conference on construction and demolition (C&D) waste. The conference brings together stakeholders in Ireland and offers a unique opportunity to learn more about the new EU Construction and Demolition Waste Management Protocol and its potential benefits. C&D waste represents a risk for the environment and real challenges for the EU. Every year, over 2 tonnes of C&D waste is generated for each European citizen The conference takes place on Thursday morning 22 June (starting at 9 a.m.) at Europe House, 12-14 Lower Mount St, Dublin 2.

Thursday 22 and Friday 23 June: European Council, Brussels

EU leaders will look at a number of the most pressing issues, including migration, security and defence, and economy.

Thursday 22 June: European Council (in an EU 27 format), Brussels

The European Council (Article 50), in an EU 27 format, will review the latest developments in the negotiations following the United Kingdom's notification under Article 50 TEU. In the margins of this meeting, leaders are expected to endorse the procedural arrangements for the relocation of the EU agencies currently located in the UK.

Wednesday 28 June: ICEL Brexit Series – Implications for trade on the island of Ireland, Royal Irish Academy

Trade is arguably the most contentious area in upcoming negotiations between the United Kingdom and EU27 in the context of the UK's withdrawal from the EU. A competence of the European Union, the UK will have to renegotiate its trading relationship with its European partners, a matter that poses a serious challenge for the island of Ireland, in particular as speculation mounts as to the necessary re-emergence of a hard border with Northern Ireland, the resurrection of customs or "trade facilitation posts".

Friday 30 June: Social Media Safety and Awareness Talk, Sligo Central Library

Sligo Europe Direct Information Centre is hosting a Social Media Safety and Awareness Talk on Friday 30 June at 7 pm in Sligo Central Library, Stephen Steet, Sligo. The event is aimed at parents and guardians who want more information on the safety aspects of social media for minors in their care. Anyone interested in attending should call 071 9111670.

Wednesday 12 July: ICEL Brexit Series – Implications for fisheries, Royal Irish Academy

This half-day conference, organised by the Irish Centre for European Law, will run from 2-5pm and will examine the distinct legal and regulatory challenges that Brexit poses for fisheries on the island of Ireland and seeks to address some of these vital topics, with the assistance of a panel of expert speakers from industry, policy, academia and practice.

Calls for Tender/Proposals

Call for proposals to run ‘Europe Direct Information Centres’ (EDICs) 2018-2020

The European Commission Representation in Ireland is launching a call for proposals to select partners to run ‘Europe Direct Information Centres’ (EDICs). Successful applicants will be entitled to an action grant and technical assistance which will enable them to carry out a set of communication activities as an EDIC. The objective of this call is to establish a network of EDICs that will engage on EU topics of relevance to the public at local and regional level, promote dialogue on EU issues and cooperate with other EU or local information networks and contact points. If you are interested in submitting your proposal you should download documents uploaded below, complete them and submit your application (including all supporting documents) as specified in the Call for Proposals by 21st July 2017.

Public consultations

Public consultation on road infrastructure and tunnel safety

The European Commission has launched an impact assessment process with a view to the possible revision of the EU road infrastructure safety management and road tunnel safety legislation. This on-line public consultation is organised to allow interested stakeholders and citizens to express their views on this as part of the impact assessment process. The consultation runs until 10 September 2017.

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