Introduction
This supplement covers the significant EU developments from September 2002 to early December 2002 in the broad areas of social policy, consumer policy and citizens' rights.
Monthly updates are posted on Comhairle's Citizens Information Database in the middle of each month. (www.cidb.ie). These include more detailed information on many of the topics which are briefly described in the Supplement and on a number of other topics. The monthly updates also include information on calls for proposals for funding - these must be checked frequently as the closing dates are usually within a number of weeks of publication.
There is further information about almost all the issues mentioned on the Europa website: www.europa.eu.int. In some cases, we give the extended website address. The Official Journal of the EU may be accessed via www.europa.eu.int/eur-lex
The European Year of People with Disabilities
2003 has been designated as the European Year of People with Disabilities. The objectives for the year are to:
- Raise awareness of the rights of people with disabilities.
- Reflect on what should be done to promote equal opportunities.
- Promote the exchange of experience.
- Boost co-operation between the stakeholders.
- Highlight the positive contribution made by people with disabilities.
- Raise awareness of the difficulties and discrimination endured by people with disabilities.
Various measures will be taken during 2003 in order to further these objectives. These include meetings, events, campaigns and media work. A co-ordinating committee for the year is being set up in each member state. In Ireland, the National Disability Authority (NDA) has the overall co-ordinating role. Some EU funding may be available through the NDA for qualifying activities.
National Disability Authority,
25 Clyde Road,
Dublin 4
Tel: (01) 6080400
Fax:(01) 6609935
www.nda.ie
Information about the year and the various activities is at
www.eypd2003.org
Scrutiny in Ireland of EU proposals
During the first referendum on the Nice Treaty concerns were expressed about laws and policies being decided at EU level with little or no public scrutiny in Ireland. New measures were put in place in July 2002 to facilitate greater scrutiny of EU proposals by the Dail. Legislation has now been passed which underpins these arrangements. The European Union (Scrutiny) Act, 2002 which was passed recently started life as the European Union Bill, 2001 - it was a Private Member's Bill. (That means it was not originally proposed by the Government but the Government subsequently agreed to support it).
The main scrutiny provisions are as follows:
- Ministers are obliged to put the text of EU proposals before the Oireachtas. They must also provide a statement outlining the content, purpose and likely implications for Ireland of the proposed measure and include other appropriate information.
- Every 6 months, each Minister must report to the Oireachtas on measures, proposed measures and other EU developments relevant to their Departments. An overall government report will be produced annually.
- ยท Within 4 weeks of receiving any proposed EU legislation, a report must be sent to the Joint Committee on European Affairs (JCEA) by the relevant Department. The paper should highlight the significance of the proposal and give an indication of the expected time required within the EU to make a decision on it.
- A database containing (i) the text of the legislative proposal, (ii) the date of formal circulation by the Council secretariat, (iii) the name of the Department responsible, (iv) copy of the information notes and (v) note on subsequent action by the Oireachtas will be maintained by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
- Draft agendas for meetings of the Council of Ministers will be circulated to the JCEA.
Select Committee on European Affairs
The Select Committee on European Affairs was established on 27 June 2002. It consists of 11 TDs. The Committee deals generally with EU matters including international agreements. It scrutinises EU proposals for laws and policies including those arising in the areas of Common Foreign and Security Policy and Justice and Home Affairs. It has power to call Government Ministers and civil servants to give briefings on issues. MEPs may attend the meetings of the Committee.
Committee reports are gradually being put on the website: www.gov.ie/oireachtas
Convention on the Future of Europe
The Convention has a number of working groups dealing with different aspects of its remit. A number of these have issued reports. A working group on Social Europe has just been established.
The Chairman of the Convention has issued a draft Constitutional treaty for discussion http://europa.eu.int/futurum/index_en.htm
