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Institute of European Affairs
Brussels Branch
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If you require further information about the Brussels branch of the IEA please contact Benoit Keane or fill out a Membership Application.
Forthcoming Events
IRISH INSTITUTE OF EUROPEAN AFFAIRS
BRUSSELS BRANCH
FORTHCOMING EVENT (S)
13 May 2008, 7 pm
Legacy of 68 for the future of Europe (Working title)
Speaker: Daniel Cohn Bendit MEP
(Venue to be announced)
PAST EVENTS
7 April 2008 The Lisbon Treaty: Giving people the facts
Speaker: Commissioner Margot Wällstrom, Vice-President of the European
Commission responsible for Communication
Commission Vice-President Margot Wällstrom addressed a full-house (close
to 120 attending) at a lively lunch-time debate held at the Committee of Regions.
The Commissioner opened with a warm reference to her recent visit to the National
Forum in Dublin. She praised the IIEA for its consolidated edition of the
text to the Lisbon Treaty and noted that the EU will publish a consolidated
version of a treaty which is the first time it has done this before a treaty
enters into force. She addressed some of the main themes being raised by those
against the Lisbon Treaty. The first concerned democracy which she said is
a key feature of the Lisbon Treaty as more powers have been given to the European
and National parliaments. She highlighted in particular the new right of EU
citizens to petition for policy proposals as evidence of greater democracy
within EU policy making. An argument which resonates strongly among the Irish
public is any compromise to the country’s neutrality and here she argued
that defence remains strictly a matter of national sovereignty. Any proposals
to enter a common European defence policy would require a separate referendum
to change Ireland’s Constitution. She also argued that unanimity will
remain in the area of ‘tax harmonisation’ upon the insistence
of the Irish Government. She said that workers’ rights were being enhanced
by the entry into force of the EU Charter on Fundamental Rights. She also
denounced the argument that the Treaty is “self amending” as a
myth as it can only be changed in line with national constitutions –
in Ireland’s case by a referendum. She considered though that it was
for every country to ratify the Treaty in its own way; it was not for Brussels
to tell a country how it should ratify a Treaty. She concluded by calling
for a lively debate across the EU and encouraged participation in the Commission’s
‘Debate Europe’ online forum.
Presentation made by Vice-President Margot Wällstrom
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4 March 2008 Climate Change: Is the EU taking the right approach?
Speakers: Caroline Lucas MEP (Green); Nick Campbell (Business Europe); Joe
Curtin (IIEA - Climate Change Group)
The IIEA’s debate on climate change brought speakers from the environmentalist
movement, industry and independent researchers. Opening the debate, Dr Caroline
Lucas MEP of the Green Party began by stating that the European Union was
doing too little, too late and relying too heavily upon market solutions.
However, not wishing to take a negative tone, she emphasized that the EU is
well placed to tackle climate change. She highlighted the danger that the
EU would undo its good work by implementing incoherent policies for example
by encouraging greater use of aviation in the Open Skies Agreement. She urged
an efficiency revolution, huge investment in renewable energy and public transport
and changes in agricultural practices as means to tackle climate change. Nick
Campbell of Business Europe praised businesses for their impact in reducing
greenhouse gases but later on acknowledged that 45% of emissions within the
EU are due to business. He called for a structured process fostering ‘predictability’
in a climate of uncertainties (oil prices, dollar exchange rate etc.). He
claimed that R&D spending on technology is falling and that this trend
should be reversed with a focus on energy efficiency projects. Dr. Campbell
called for a policy that will make a mandate out of emission reductions. He
called for a deeper analysis on the effects of climate change at the sector
level with a sector-tailored policy approach as opposed to ‘blanket
targets’. The third speaker in the expert panel, Joe Curtain from the
Climate Change Group at the IIEA in Dublin, addressed the implications for
Ireland of the ‘January 23rd’ proposals on building a low-carbon
economy. He spoke on the ‘carbon tax’ debate and pointed to agriculture
which, he stated, is 15 times more carbon intense than any other sector in
the economy. In his concluding remarks, Joe Curtain stated that Ireland should
plan for a 30% cut in CO2 emissions. He went on to say that the challenge
needs to be quantified, that preparations should already start for meeting
targets and that inter-sector equity should be tackled.
Presentation made by Dr Caroline Lucas
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27th June 2006 IEA Brussels Branch Annual General Meeting
29th May 2006 "Protectionism and Globalisation - an Irish perspective"
Guest Speaker: Mr Micheál Martin, T.D. Minister for Enterprise, Trade
and Employment
4th May 2006: "16 Wasted Years? Campaigning for Consumers in Brussels"
Speaker: Mr Jim Murray, Director, BEUC - the European Consumers' Organisation
7th February 2006 EUROPE: THE CHALLENGES AHEAD
Speaker: His Excellency Bobby McDonagh Permanent Representative of Ireland
to the European Union
15th December 2005 "COMMUNICATING EUROPE"
Speaker: Enda Kenny, TD; Leader of Fine Gael
22nd November 2005 Reassessing Europe debate
Speaker: Dr Garrett FitzGerald, President IEA; Chair of reassessing Europe
working group
14th September 2005 TIME FOR REFLECTION : TIME FOR ENGAGEMENT
Senator Maurice Hayes, Chairman, National Forum of Europe
29th June 2005 "What direction now for Europe?"
Speakers: David O'Sullivan, Secretary General, European Commission
Proinsais De Rossa MEP, Member of the Convention on the Future of Europe
Brendan Halligan, Chairman, Institute of European Affairs
23rd May 2005 "Perspectives for the EU Constitution"
Speaker: Alan Dukes, Director General, Institute of European Affairs
23rd May 2005 "Stádas na Gaeilge / Status of the Irish language"
Speaker: Seán Ó Neachtain MEP
16 February 05 "The Barroso Commission - Five Years to Make a Difference"
Speaker: Mr. Charlie McCREEVY, Commissioner for the Internal Market and Services
12 October 04 " New Parliament, New Era" - Discussion with Irish
MEP's
Speakers: Mr Liam Aylward, MEP; Mrs Mairead McGuinness, MEP; Mr Proinsias
De Rossa, MEP; Mrs Avril Doyle, MEP; Mr Simon Coveney, MEP; Mrs Mary Lou McDonald,
MEP; Mrs Marian Harkin, MEP; Mr Seán O Neachtain, MEP
6 July 04 "Reflections on the Irish Presidency of the EU"
Speaker: H.E. Anne Anderson, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Ireland
to the European Union
23 March 04 EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
Speakers: John Cushnahan, MEP; Liam Hyland, MEP
17 February 04 Enlarged EU and Social Dialogue: the way forward
John Monks, Secretary General European Trade Union Confederation and Brian
Crowley, MEP
27 January 04 Rural development: are we sowing the seeds for the future?
Minister Éamon Ó Cuív, T.D. Minister for Community, Rural
and Gaeltacht Affairs
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