Minister Treacy launches A-Z Guide to the European Union

The Minister for European Affairs, Mr Noel Treacy, T.D, today launched The A-Z Guide to the European Union, an educational resource developed by the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) and aimed at adult learners and tutors.

Building on the success of last year's “Know your EU” also produced by NALA, the publication is designed to explain in a clear and accessible way the many terms and definitions used in EU affairs and international relations as well as important information for European citizens.  It also profiles each EU Member State with interesting and offbeat facts. 

NALA received financial assistance from the Communicating Europe Initiative, which is administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and which aims to increase Irish public awareness of the European Union. 

Launching the guide at Iveagh House today, Minister Treacy said:

“The Government recognises that it is hard for our people to keep abreast of European developments. It is often difficult to work out what particular European developments might mean for our families and for our communities.  There is no magic wand that will create a perfectly informed community on European affairs.  There is, however, a job to be done and it needs to be done if we are to play our proper European role.  This A-Z Guide is an important effort at demystifying European issues.  It provides a clear and readable summary of all things European.” 

The Minister congratulated NALA on this excellent publication and commended their work all around the country in improving verbal and numerical literacy standards. “This is a tribute to their dedication and a fantastic vision of adult education which I admire greatly.  I am delighted that my Department's Communicating Europe Initiative was able to fund the development of the valuable guide.”

Note for Editors:

For example among the entries in the Guide under the letter E is:

“European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
If you are ill while you are in another EU country, as an EU resident you are entitled to either free, or reduced-cost, emergency treatment.  You need the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to get treatment.  The card used to be called the E111 card.

There are 2 ways to apply for an EHIC:
 Go to your community care office or health centre.
 Download an application form from www.ehic.ie.   Fill it in and return it by post to your local health office.
You should bring a European Health Insurance Card with you when you travel in other EU countries.”

NALA received €40,000 towards the costs associated with the development of “Know your EU and The A-Z Guide to the European Union”.  Total funding of €205,000 is available in 2006 under the Communicating Europe Initiative. Applications for funding are currently being considered.  Interested parties should contact the Department of Foreign Affairs at: communicatingeurope@dfa.ie  or at 01 4082500.

ENDS +++
25 September 2006
Press Office