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You are here Home | Topics | Europe
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October 06, 2005
IRA decomm popular with MEPs
Interesting op ed in Daily Ireland yesterday from the Northern Irish MEP, Bairbre De Brún. Presumably referring to a recent meeting at the European Parliament, she reports that there is widespread support for the IRA's decommissioning act. She notes that outside Sinn Fein and October 04, 2005
Europe: nationalism is at odds with national interest
This jointly written piece from Ulrich Beck and Anthony Gidden (all round genius and progenitor of the Third Way) reads more like a power memo than an argument. In it they place generic nationalism at odds the cosmopolitan project of the EU: [more] Derry most europhile city in the UK? According to last night BBC2 programme 'How euro are you?', Derry has the highest proportion of europhiles in the UK. October 03, 2005
a derogation for 5 years renewable
Ciarán, at Neither Indifferent Nor Sceptical, picks up on a recent post at the EU Law blog on the occasionally controversial subject of official EU language status for Irish. As Ciarán points out the reports at the time of the announcement neglected to mention the newly introduced conditions of that amended regulation[pdf file], as stated by the EU Law blog - "there is a derogation for 5 years renewable according to which the institutions are not bound to draft all acts and publish them in Irish. The Council can review that derogation every five years and decide unanimously to end it." [more] September 30, 2005
Friends of Sinn Fein
Martin has gone off to America to persuade Irish Americans to be "elated" (according to todays IN) at the IRAs recent surrender. I understand that Gerry will be off to the European Parliament next Wedensday for an "informal question and answer" session with MEPs. Alas, rumour has it, the President and Vice President of the Commission have refused a meeting. As have the leaders of the EPP-ED, the Socalist and Liberal groups! This leaves the extreme left (which includes the two Shinners), the Greens and the extreme right. Sounds like a pretty empty room to me! September 27, 2005
The EU dimension of the IRA decommission
Not surprisingly, the IRA decommission made the headlines all over Europe. For example, Le Monde carried a special dossier with an interview of Adrian Guelke. Back in the European Parliament, it is business as usual, with the expected acrimonial relationship between SF and DUP MEPs to continue. The inability of SF and DUP MEPs to work together on a certain number of issues might have some serious consequences for Northern Ireland. [more] September 21, 2005
From the shelves to the freezer
The European Constitutional Treaty has been officially brought from the shelves to the freezer by Jose Barroso. The Head of the European Commission acknowledged that the EU will not have a Constitution until two or three years. This news will come as no surprise the Minister for European Affair, Noel Tracy. As we are moving from the 'reflection period' to the 'iced constitution age' we learned recently that a third of the Irish were in favour of the Treaty and 13% against it. However, it has to be noted that half of Irish people didn't have any opinion about the topic and two thirds said that while they had heard about the document, they had no idea what is in it. These bad results for the Irish Government did not deter Maurice Hayes, chairman of the Forum on Europe, to lecture the Constitutional Committee of the European Parliament on 'the Forum's work in fostering the debate on EU issues to Irish citizens.' For the future battles bloggers involved in EU debates should beare in mind that the Internet was a strong forum for the French 'no' vote. Something that might explain the new facelift from the European Parliament website (thanks to Ciaran). September 16, 2005
Four models of Euro economics...
 Interesting piece from Martin Wolf drawn from a paper by André Sapir on Globalisation and the Reform of European Social Models. It identifies four typological models: Rhineland (or continental); Mediterranean; Nordic; and Anglo Saxon. The UK, Ireland and Portugal all fit the relatively successful enterprise driven Anglo Saxon model. But the Nordic countries which feature strong government intervention also performs strongly in economic terms.
[more]July 01, 2005
Ireland as a model for other European States?
June 29, 2005
Ireland: barely visible from corporate France?
Years ago (1980 to be precise) a Czech student I met fleetingly on a waterbus in Venice asked me where I was from. The single word answer "Belfast" only seemed to puzzle him. After trying Northern Ireland and then Ireland I asked him if he knew where Britain was. He said yes. So I explained that Ireland was the next piece of land to it's west. "Ah" he said, "America!" The whole island, north and south, had no substance in his (admittedly Cold War) world view. It seems that Seamus Martin in today's Irishman's diary has encountered similar problems in corporate France where the train bringing the news of partition in 1922 is overdue (subs needed): [more] June 22, 2005
On CAP reform and EU subsidies
In the Belfast Telegraph, Michael Drake helpfully points out that the Ulster Farmers Union president, Campbell Tweed, was among the top ten earners from the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) here during the past two years. Hmm.. No wonder he criticised the release of the figures.. which you can find here.. Michael Drake also points out that DARD's own College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise CAFRE, received £114,054 in EU subsidies in 2004 - part of the education it provides? I was also interested to see a statement released in Feb 2005, from then Minister Ian Pearson "I am pleased that over £80 million of farm subsidy payments have been paid to farmers from October 2004 up to the start of February 2005. This will be a welcome boost to farm incomes.." Are the NIO still pleased with the level of EU subsidies though? [more] June 20, 2005
CAP costs African farmers
As Pete picked up there is little between Fianna Fail and the DUP on subject of the common agricultural policy - they are both for it's retention in it's current form. However, the real problem the CAP is its effects well beyond the borders of the EU, and in particular, the effect it is having on African farmers! Live8, how are ya! June 17, 2005
EU Constitutional Treaty sinking (sunk?)
About EU notes that the Irish government has bowed to the inevitable and postponed the referendum on the EU's Constitutional Treaty, as have Portugal and Denmark. Despite the optimistic line in the RTE report - "the ratification process will continue" - the reality is that the deadline for that ratification has been extended.. indefinitely.. the BBC reports more countries have frozen their plans and there will be a review in early(or mid)-2006. - not, seemingly, mid-2007 as RTE reports. France and The Netherlands would have to re-run their referenda before some countries will risk putting the question to the people. The FT reports on the treaty confusion here. A common agricultural policy, indeed As Mick noted yesterday, MEP Ian Paisley was characteristically undiplomatic in his statement in defence of the contentious farm subsidies that flow from the EU's Common Agricultural Policy. And the Irish Government agrees, unsurprisingly.. RTE reports that Minister for Agriculture and Food, Mary Couglan, described the current arrangements as sacrosanct and that "any dilution would be vociferously opposed by Ireland"... Hmm.. sacrosanct? Really? Update Interesting quote from Angela Merkel, possibly successor to German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder - "It isn't fair to say that agricultural subsidies are sacrosanct, but we demand flexibility from the other side.". Heh. Update again Thanks to About EU.. we wouldn't want to leave anyone out of the commonality. June 16, 2005
Ian Paisley defends CAP farm subsidies
About EU carries a snippet from the proceedings in Westminster yessterday, in Ian Paisley defended the current settlement of the Common Agricultural Policy, even though the British front bench is currently questioning its value, whilst deflecting attacks on the UK's EU rebate. He also reckons that Polish farmers don't know their potatoes from their onions. That'll be news to some Polish friends of mine! June 14, 2005
A European excursion
From our unofficial ambassador... While Europe is on the agenda, take a diversion with this European geography quiz [Shockwave file]. Hmm.. According to Paul's own rating system, my 80% result means that, even with an average error of 162 miles - "Mr Euro-Cosmopolitan's in town!" Heh. June 13, 2005
Not to worry.. the EU's paying..
EU Foreign Ministers have decided that official and working status is to be given to the Irish language by the European Union from 1st January 2007, making it the 21st official language of the EU. According to this RTE report, that means at ministerial level, provision will be made for Irish to be spoken at council meetings, requiring 20-30 translators.. and costing June 09, 2005
Europe should learn from Williamite settlement?
If About You has ruffled a few political feathers it is also doing something that seemed previously implausible: bring Brussels to life in Northern Ireland. It cover all the MEP's reactions to the recent referenda, but this piece from Jim Allister the DUP's man over in Brussels who used the Dutch firm rejection of the European Constitution to inject a piece of Protestant constitutional history bears repetition: [more] Controversy over MEP attendence rumbles on... The About EU blog has been tracking the controversy that's kicked up over Northern Ireland's MEP attendence records. He has all the relevant links and material from all the players, including Sinn Fein's spat with the Irish News editor Noel Doran. June 07, 2005
French 'No' delivered by the Left?
In Brendan Young's analysis of the campaign that led to the French No vote in last week's referendum on the EU Constitution leads him to claim it was intended as by the French electorate a blow against a Free Market Europe (subs needed). [more] June 06, 2005
EU constitution: a French pig in a poke?
Ruth Dudley Edwards was on sparkling form in yesterday' Sunday Independent. She lays out the conundrum of the European Constitution, drafted in high French style by former French President Valerie Giscard d’Estaing (she's not a fan btw), patched together in the convention by the British, and finally sold to the whole EU last year by Bertie Ahern. Finally, when it came round to the French again, they dealt it a devastating blow - for a bewildering and conflicting set of reasons. [more] June 02, 2005
"PININ' for the FJORDS?!? What kind of talk is that?"
RTE with, perhaps, its tongue firmly in its cheek. suggests that supporters of the EU Constitutional Treaty can take some solace from Latvia.. who said "Yes". Hmmm.. Never mind France, or the Netherlands, then? John Fay picks up on the increasingly appropriate analogy - "Remarkable bird, the Norwegian Blue.." Meanwhile EU Commission President José Barroso has warned EU leaders not to abandon the treaty yet - "I think it will not be wise [for] leaders to come with new initiatives or unilateral decisions." - "'E's not pinin'! 'E's passed on!" June 01, 2005
Allister first, Nicholson second, de Bruin last
Well it is only a three horse race, but About EU blog points out that the Northern Ireland's MEPs' difference in parliamentary attendence record is not trivial. Eurosceptics discount EU subsidy? Brian Walker muses on a number of interesting subjects this week, including the highly poluting flights to Belfast and Dublin! However he notes the Eurosceptic common ground between the DUP and Sinn Fein, but wonders if they're not taking some benefits for granted: [more] May 30, 2005
What next for EU Constitutional Treaty?
French voters have rejected the proposed Constitutional Treaty for the EU, by what is being interpreted as a firm No.. 55% to 45%. Richard Delevan has some interesting thoughts on what happens next and suggests that the opportunity exists for a meaningful conversation [beyond the bureaucrats] on a question that the EU in Northern Ireland blog will probably be interested in - "What is the end-state of the European project?".. and, according to RTE, President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso has said that re-negotiation of the document's text was not possible. May 26, 2005
Afraid to put their case?
Sinn Féin MEP Mary Lou McDonald has accused Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael of running away from debate on the proposed European Constitution by failing to provide speakers for a conference. (conference details attached) Usually impeccable sources tell me that the conference minus FF and FG may be blogged live by a Slugger regular. [more] May 20, 2005
Northern Ireland's first Euro blog!
An excellent new addition to the Northern Irish blogsphere is the EU in Northern Ireland blog. The heat is sure to climb over the next few weeks as first the French and then the Dutch deliver their referenda verdicts on the EU's new constitution (our new SoS Peter Hain was the UK's key negotiator at the constitutional convention). Our money is on a one and possibly two stage coup. It's a good time also to be reading the excellent A Fistful of Euros, and it's offshoot, A few Euros more. May 10, 2005
MEPs overwhelming pass resolution on McCartney murder
MEPs today passed a resolution to provide financial support if a civil case is pursued by the family of Robert McCartney - using an existing fund for victims of terrorism. In the resolution "MEPs condemn violence and criminality by the self-styled 'Irish Republican Army' (IRA) in Northern Ireland, in particular the murder of Robert McCartney" and "calls on the leadership of Sinn Féin to insist that those responsible for the murder and witnesses to the murder cooperate directly with the Police Service of Northern Ireland and be free from the threat of reprisals from the IRA".. The motion was passed by 555 votes in favour and 4 against, 48 abstained. At the minute it's not completely clear whether, as the BBC reports, the 2 SF MEPs voted against, or merely abstained. Update according to the official record both SF MEPs abstained (PDF file page28) Thanks Zorglub. Another Update The BBC have corrected their report. Yet another Update The BBC just reported live from Strasbourg and stated that the 2 SF MEPs voted against financial support being given for any future civil case and abstained from voting on other sections of the resolution.. Hmm. Final Update According to the offical record. 3 votes were taken. 'Par. 1', 'Par. 3' May 04, 2005
MEPs to debate motion on IRA "violence and criminality"
Both UTV and RTE report on the announcement that five of the political groups, representing 627 of the 732 members, of the European Parliament have tabled a "strongly worded resolution" to be debated in the European Parliament in Strasbourg next Monday condemning "violence and criminality by the self-styled Irish Republican Army in Northern Ireland, in particular the murderers of Robert McCartney" and requesting the use of funds set aside for the victims of terrorism to be made avaiable for any future civil action in the case, if criminal procedures are not able to be brought forward. The RTE report also states "The European Left grouping, of which Sinn Féin's two MEPs are members, has not joined the resolution." Updated - to include text of resolution. [more] March 31, 2005
SF/DUP consensus on European Constitution?
Eoin O'Broin was interviewed (sound file) on Morning Ireland this morning in his capacity as a campaigner against the adoption of a formal constitution. Meanwhile, Jeffrey Donaldson puts a similar case for the Brugges Group. Is this a case of a pan Euro nationalist front? |
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