An Roinn Gnóthaí Eachtracha Preas Ráiteas
Department of Foreign Affairs Press Release
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Minister for Foreign Affairs welcomes the Oireachtas Sub-Committee Report on Ireland’s Future in the European Union
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Micheál Martin TD, has warmly welcomed the report by the Oireachtas Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the European Union which, he said, represents a major contribution to a vital national debate on our place in Europe.
The Minister said:
"With the publication of the Sub-Committee’s report, the Oireachtas has just completed its most sustained exploration of our membership of the EU since we first joined 35 years ago. These discussions touched on fundamental issues to do with our future European engagement. That this exchange took place against the backdrop of such unprecedented global events serves only to underline the importance of the questions under examination by the Committee.
I welcome the publication of this report and look forward to studying it carefully. It concludes seven weeks of open, inclusive discussions about the challenges facing Ireland in Europe. The Sub-Committee has done impressive work and I commend them on producing such a comprehensive report in such a short space of time.
Their work will be of great assistance to the Government as we look for ways of meeting the concerns expressed by the Irish people last June. The report confirms that Ireland’s place is at the heart of the European Union, contributing positively and deploying our influence carefully to promote our national interests.
I fully endorse the Sub-Committee’s call for greater engagement by the Oireachtas in the workings of the Union. The Oireachtas has a vital role to play in bringing important EU issues to public attention.
"Finally, I want to thank the members of the Sub-Committee for the commitment they have shown to the task of ensuring Ireland’s place at the centre of Europe".
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Press Office
27 November 2008
Note for the editors:
The report was prepared by a cross-party Sub-Committee of T.D.s and Senators drawn from the Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Affairs.
The Sub-Committee was tasked to:
analyse the challenges facing Ireland in the European Union (EU) following the Lisbon Treaty Referendum result;
consider Ireland’s future in the EU including in relation to economic and financial matters, social policy, defence and foreign policy and our influence within the European Institutions;
make recommendations to enhance the role of the Houses of the Oireachtas in EU affairs;
consider measures to improve public understanding of the EU and its fundamental importance for Ireland’s future;
and report back on the matter to the Joint Committee on European Affairs by 28 November, 2008.
The full membership of the Sub-Committee is:
Senator Paschal Donohoe, Fine Gael (Chairman)
Thomas Byrne, TD (Fianna Fáil)
Joe Costello, TD, (Labour)
Lucinda Creighton, TD (Fine Gael)
Timmy Dooley, TD (Fianna Fáil)
Beverly Flynn, TD (Fianna Fáil)
Michael McGrath, TD (Fianna Fáil)
Billy Timmins, TD (Fine Gael)
Senator Deirdre deBurca (GP)
Senator Pearse Doherty (Sinn Féin)
Senator Ronan Mullen, (Independent)
Senator Phil Prendergast, (Lab)
