Oireachtas EU Referendum Sub-Committee

18 Apr 2012

On 5 April, IIEA Chairman, Brendan Halligan, appeared before a newly-established Oireachtas EU Referendum Sub-Committee. He spoke about the implications of the Treaty for Ireland and Europe, recalling that economic co-operation between the countries of Europe is the cement that binds them together politically. A paper prepared by Mr. Halligan in advance of his presentation to the sub-committee is available in the blog section of the website.    

In advance of the referendum on the Fiscal Treaty, scheduled for 31 May 2012, the Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Affairs established an EU Referendum Sub-Committee. The sub-committee is in the process of holding exchanges with prominent experts from Ireland and abroad during an intensive series of meetings, beginning on 3 April. The views and information collected will inform a report from the sub-committee to be published in advance of the referendum.

The sub-committee’s consideration of the Treaty is divided into a number of themes: Views on the Treaty from Across the EU; the Reaction of Irish Society to the Treaty; and the Realities of What the Treaty Means for Ireland: Understanding the Facts. Under each theme, politicians, civil society leaders, academics and diplomats were invited to address the sub-committee and to answer questions from Irish TDs, Senators and MEPs. 

The sub-committee sessions continue this week. More information, including transcripts, presentations and committee news are available on the website of the Oireachtas.