Publications
Where to Now? Ideas on the Future of the EU
As it becomes apparent that the European Union’s period of reflection will stretch on into the Austrian presidency in 2006 and beyond, the members of the Institute of International and European Affairs have been conducting their own analysis of where the major issues and challenges for the Union lie.
Where to Now? is a selection of four essays chosen by the Institute to contribute to a period of reflection. Bringing together a wealth and diversity of experience and insights into the workings of the Union, these essays do not attempt to map a path forward for the European Constitutional Treaty (ECT) but offer thought-provoking analyses of where the Union is, how it got there and what options are available to restore the momentum that, until very recently, it seemed to possess in abundance.
Noel Dorr offers a perspective insight into the nature of Treaties, which puts the difficulties over the ECT into a new perspective. He highlights the difficulty created by labelling what was essentially a ‘reform’ Treaty as an ‘existential’ Treaty, one which purported to re-found the Union when in fact it merely reformed it as earlier Treaties such as Nice and Maastricht had done. Dorr’s further analysis of the opinions available to the EU to move forward on the ECT makes for sobering reading.
Denis O’Leary uses his profound knowledge of the intricacies of the various EU Treaties to offer a timely and comprehensive view on how the Union may move forward within the existing legal framework. O’Leary unearths enabling clauses from several Treaties, which offer a way forward on many of the Union’s most pressing issues, such as Justice and Home Affairs, as well as the all-important institutional provisions. O’Leary also addresses what he sees as the paradox of the Union being both undersold, in that its achievements are systematically under-acknowledged by the Governments of Member States, and at the same time oversold, when commentaries on the size of the budget and staffing levels are greatly disproportionate to either their actuality or to their relation to the situation in the Member States.
Tom Garvey focuses on the apparent lack of connection between the Union and its citizens. Dividing his analysis into ‘Hearts’ (values) and ‘Minds’ (economics) he highlights how the economic case for Ireland’s continued participation in the Union is stronger than ever, saying, “Ireland has no credible independent economic scenario.” His interesting and provocative paper concludes by looking at the obstacles that prevent the case for Europe being put to the people.
Alan Dukes turns the spotlight on what is claimed to be one of the greatest flaws in the institutional structure of the European Union, the democratic deficit. He shows that the unique nature of the Union means that simplistic state-centred notions of democracy are inappropriate and that, on detailed examination, the democratic deficit exists less at the EU level and more at the level of the national Parliaments, which have not faced up to the extra dimension that the EU brings to political participation.
“The Institute of European Affairs is at the very heart of debate on European matters in Ireland. Its research and discussions are not only insightful and informative, they are also frequently challenging to policy makers and practitioners.”
- An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern
“Across Europe people are considering the challenges facing the Union and are reflection on how we can best equip ourselves to meet them. The Institute of European Affairs – always independent and always open to argument – has played a vital role in fostering that debate here in Ireland.”
- Commissioner Charlie McCreevy
Price: € 7.5 (Hard copy)