Irish Presidency Review

Transcription

1 PRESIDENCY PROGRAMME 2013 Irish Presidency Review A Review of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2013 July

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3 Table of Contents Executive Director s Foreword... 2 Understanding the Presidency... 3 EU Policy Progress under the Irish Presidency... 4 The Banking System and the Euro... 4 Jobs and Growth Programmes... 4 EU Budget... 5 EU Budget Breakdown... 5 Youth Employment... 5 Trade... 5 Farming and Fisheries Reforms... 6 Innovation... 6 Energy and the Environment... 7 Health and Safety... 7 Justice and Home Affairs... 7 Enlargement and External Relations... 8 Development Aid... 8 Transport... 9 Technology and Information... 9 LGBT Rights... 9 Gender Equality... 9 A selection of events held during the Irish Presidency European Movement Ireland 1

4 Executive Director s Foreword From January to June 2013, Ireland held the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the seventh time in its history. The six Presidency months have been an exciting and unique opportunity for Ireland to instigate changes that will benefit the whole European community. The Irish Presidency also coincided with the 40th anniversary of Irish accession to the EU and the European Commission s designation of 2013 as the European Year of Citizens, with the aim of encouraging citizen participation in the EU and creating a dialogue between EU citizens and European representatives truly is a unique year for Irish-EU relations and has afforded us an opportunity to take stock, reflect on our relationship with Europe and look to the future. The Irish Presidency brought over 24,000 politicians, officials, journalists and other delegates to Dublin in the first half of 2013, to attend some of the 180 official Presidency events and 1,200 official meetings in the city. Many events also took place in Brussels, where they were coordinated by the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU; an impressive total of 2,477 meetings were chaired by the Irish Presidency across Europe. EM Ireland has prepared this Review of the Irish Presidency in order to give our members and stakeholders an insight into the level of work that has been carried out during the six months of the Irish Presidency, and to detail the key events, issues and achievements of the period. This Review only offers a very brief glimpse of the work carried out by the Irish Presidency; a more comprehensive overview can be found in the Presidency s own report, Results of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which is available on the Irish Presidency website, This Review, and the work of EM Ireland over the past year, would not have been possible without the contribution and efforts of a significant number of people. I would like to thank the European Movement Ireland Board, Advisory Council and stakeholders for their constant support and encouragement throughout this busy period. I would also like to pay tribute to the entire EM Ireland team, including the many stagiaires who worked with us over the past year, for their efforts in contributing to EM Ireland s Presidency Programme. Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our members for your on-going support of EM Ireland, without which our work would simply not be possible. This EM Ireland Presidency Review is also available to download from our website, We are always looking for ways to improve and expand on our work and, to that end, I would welcome any comments or feedback you may have on this Review. Noelle O Connell Executive Director 2 European Movement Ireland

5 Understanding the Presidency To understand the role and functions of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, it is important to first understand the structure of the EU itself, especially the difference between the European Council and the Council of the European Union. The European Council is an Institution, with no legislative power, which comprises the Heads of State of the EU s Member States, along with the President of the European Council, Herman van Rompuy and the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso. The High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, takes part in its meetings. The Council of the European Union, on the other hand, is composed of several configurations of twenty-eight national Ministers (one per Member State) and meets in different configurations, depending on the issue under discussion. For example, all Ministers for Agriculture from the 28 EU Member States attend meetings of the Agriculture and Fisheries (AGRI-FISH) Council. Unlike the European Council, there is no sole Presidential figure in the Council of the European Union, rather the Presidency is held by an EU Member State, on a rotating six-month basis. The past six months have been a unique opportunity for Ireland as it will be at least 14 years until our next Presidency term comes around. During any term, the Presidency holder has important duties relating to the smooth operation of the Union, particularly in relation to the Union s legislative functions. In January, at the outset of the Irish Presidency, the Irish Government listed a number of policy and directional issues which were to be the priorities of the Irish Presidency. These were combined into an overall agenda promising: Stability, Jobs and Growth. The purpose of this EM Ireland Presidency Review is to outline how EU policy was advanced in certain areas during the Irish Presidency. It is by no means, however, an exhaustive report on all progress made. Further, more detailed, information is available in the report published by the Irish Presidency, Results of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which is available on the Irish Presidency website, European Movement Ireland 3

6 EU Policy Progress under the Irish Presidency The Banking System and the Euro On 18 April 2013, EU Member States agreed on the setting up of a new EU single supervisor for banks. This followed a key breakthrough in Ministerial talks at the Informal Meeting of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) on 12 and 13 April The Irish Presidency reinforced the Single Market with Customs Code Agreement in late April. The Union Customs Code is a recast of the Modernised Customs Code which was due to take effect from June this year. It has been recast to take account of changes in the customs environment since its adoption in 2008 and to conform with the Lisbon Treaty. Agreement was reached with the European Parliament on the Capital Requirements Directive, known as CRD 4. It is aimed at protecting taxpayers by building stronger European banks, while placing limits on bankers bonuses. New Rules for European Mortgage Industry were agreed in early May. EU Member States ambassadors confirmed the agreement reached by the Irish Presidency with the European Parliament on new European mortgage credit rules. The Mortgage Credit Directive aims to further the creation of an efficient and competitive internal market, in particular by facilitating cross-border activity as well as promoting broader financial stability by ensuring more responsible lending of mortgage credit. Jobs and Growth Programmes Agreement was reached with the European Parliament on the Two Pack measures designed to improve budgetary and economic coordination among Eurozone countries. The Two Pack entered into force in late May. The first stage of the European Semester economic planning process was completed, aimed at reaching EU2020 targets and supporting growth-friendly consolidation and job-friendly growth. A last-minute deal on Horizon 2020, the pan-european scheme to boost research and innovation, was reached by the Irish Presidency and members of the European Parliament in late June. 4 European Movement Ireland

7 EU Budget Following settlement at the European Council in February, agreement was reached in late June between the Irish Presidency and the European Parliament on the EU's seven-year budget, the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). The 960 billion budget, for the period between 2014 and 2020, embraces a commitment to a formal review in On 27 June, a political agreement was reached on the issue by the Taoiseach Enda Kenny and the Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore, who acted as chief negotiator on behalf of the Member States throughout the talks, along with Minister of State for European Affairs, Lucinda Creighton. This political agreement will now be presented to the various Member States for their endorsement. Once endorsed by the various Member States, the budget will be presented to the European Parliament for a vote. The Irish Presidency was mandated on behalf of the EU s Member States to secure the agreement of the European Parliament. The budget agreed amounts to 960 billion for the next seven years and holds various benefits for Ireland. 1.2 billion will be provided to Irish farmers in grants as part of the reformed CAP, with young people in Ireland also benefiting from the 6 billion Youth Guarantee agreement that was reached. EU Budget Breakdown Up to 8 billion to tackle youth unemployment; 360 billion on a reformed Common Agricultural Policy (CAP); 70 billion for Horizon2020, the EU s programme for research and innovation; 30 billion for the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) targeting enhancements in transport, energy and telecoms networks; 16 billion on Erasmus+ programme for education and training; 2 billion for the COSME programme to boost competitiveness of the EU s 20 million SMEs; 3 billion for the LIFE programme to fund projects in the environmental area. Youth Employment 6 billion of resources has been allocated as part of the MFF to the EU s Youth Employment Initiative, including the Youth Guarantee Recommendation agreed under the Irish Presidency in February. The Youth Guarantee Recommendation was adopted by the EU's Council of Ministers on 22 April. The July 2012 country-specific recommendations sought to ensure that youth employment remains high on the policy agenda of all Member States where youth unemployment rates are particularly dramatic. Trade Draft mandate for US Free Trade Talks successfully generated momentum behind the EU-US Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) and secured a draft mandate from the European Commission. Over the Saint Patrick s Day period in March 2013, the Taoiseach discussed what became known as the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership with President Obama in Washington while the Tánaiste did so with Secretary of State John Kerry. The Irish Presidency played a critical role in the opening of EU-US talks by working out the details of the mandate among Member States. European Movement Ireland 5

8 Official negotiations have also been launched under the Irish Presidency for a Free Trade Agreement between the EU and Japan. Farming and Fisheries Reforms The Irish Presidency concluded negotiations with the European Parliament on a significant element of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) reform package on 8 May. Discussions on the Common Organisation of the Markets in Fishery and Aquaculture Products (known more widely as the CMO) saw agreement being reached on a system which will support the aims of the CFP, help make the industry more competitive and simplify what has been a cumbersome system for industry and producer organisations. Further fisheries reform achieved in late May delivered on a discards ban, provided the means for new methods of sustainable fishing and a more transparent and competitive market, and empowered fishermen by giving them a central role in decision making for their fisheries. Reform of the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) proved to be one of the key items on the agenda for the Irish Presidency. Negotiations to reform CAP have been on-going throughout the last six months, with all hopeful that a deal could be brokered on the issue before the conclusion of Ireland s Presidency. On 26 June, political agreement was reached on reform of CAP between the Council of the EU, the European Commission and the European Parliament. This was then endorsed by the European Parliament s Agriculture and Rural Development Committee. This development has proven to be highly significant, in that it marks the first time CAP reform has been secured with the involvement of the European Parliament. Important aspects of this reform include the introduction of a partial convergence model which will reduce the gap in direct payment levels between EU Member States. This has been introduced in conjunction with the European Commission s flat rate payment proposal. CAP reforms are also characterised by a stronger environmental element, emphasising the need for greening. Other areas of agreement include the abolition of sugar quotas in 2017 and measures to be put in place for the treatment of young farmers. The Irish Presidency led a swift and effective response to the mislabelling of food products which first arose in January Agreement was also secured on an improved pet passports regime. Innovation The signature of the Unified Patent Court (UPC) Agreement was achieved, representing a major final step leading to a unitary patent system in the EU and a key element in completing the Single Market. 6 European Movement Ireland

9 Energy and the Environment An Offshore Oil and Gas Safety Agreement was secured on a Directive improving the safety of offshore oil and gas sites which will help to ensure that environmental disasters are averted. Agreement was reached regarding greenhouse gas emissions from the aviation sector, with a view to facilitating an eventual global measure in this area. Health and Safety Agreement was reached on health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (electromagnetic fields). Agreement was reached on an international treaty on the protection of human health and the environment from exposure to mercury. The Irish Presidency secured agreement in early May to protect citizens from serious cross-border threats to health. Legal basis for the coordination of vaccine procurement across the EU was established, which will strengthen risk preparedness and response planning, improve access to vaccines for Member States, and result in clearer risk and crisis communication to the public and healthcare professionals. The Irish Presidency secured an agreement in early April on measures to ensure the safety of the EU's seafarers, agreeing on a new Port State Control Directive. This Directive is part of a package which will ensure that the EU fulfils its commitments under the Maritime Labour Convention which sets out the minimum requirements for seafarers to work on board a ship. The Irish Presidency secured agreement in mid-april 2013 on the Priority Substances in Water Directive. The Directive controls emissions, losses and discharges of so-called priority substances in water by establishing environmental quality standards (EQSs) and requiring monitoring programmes. Justice and Home Affairs Agreement on the European Protection Order (civil) was reached, improving the protection of victims of domestic violence across Europe. Progress was continued on key aspects of the data protection proposals. Agreement was reached with the European Parliament on the workings and extended mandate of the European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA). The final two elements paving the way for the establishment of a Common European Asylum System, which has been ten years in the making, were successfully completed. European Movement Ireland 7

10 Enlargement and External Relations Momentum was maintained on EU enlargement, with the final steps before Croatia s accession to the EU on 1 July 2013 being completed under the Irish Presidency. The European Union (Accession of the Republic of Croatia) (Access to the Labour Market) Bill 2013 was introduced to the houses of the Oireachtas on 31 May The Bill makes provision for the Government's decision on 30 April 2013 to permit access to the Irish labour market for nationals of Croatia upon its accession to the EU. The Irish Presidency also made important progress in the EU s relations with Serbia and Kosovo. The establishment of accession agreements and the building of relations between the EU and these countries are vital to maintaining peace in the Balkans area, an issue which is of strategic importance to the EU and also one that has been high on the agenda of the Irish Presidency. Serbian Prime Minister, Mr Ivica Dačić, and his Kosovan counterpart, Mr Hashim Thaçi, met in Brussels on 20 June 2013 with the intention of accelerating the implementation of a landmark deal signed in April to improve relations between both countries. Under the Irish Presidency, the EU brokered the deal, which is also known as the April Accord and is contingent on the end to the ethnic partition of northern Kosovo. The April Accord has accelerated a decade-old journey towards EU accession for both countries. The issue of Kosovo and Serbia s accession was high on the agenda of the European Council Summit on 27 and 28 June 2013 in Brussels, the last major event of the Irish Presidency. The basis for discussions at the Summit was the recommendations of the General Affairs Council, held in Luxembourg on 25 June, and chaired by Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore. The draft conclusions that were adopted unanimously by EU Foreign Ministers on 25 June, contain the statement that Serbia's accession talks would begin no later than in December 2013, if by that time the Brussels agreement has been fully implemented, and if there is progress in the normalization of relations with Kosovo. The five-year-old state of Kosovo, which became independent from Serbia in 2008, was also promised an association agreement, the first step to EU membership. The European Council endorsed the conclusions and recommendations of the General Affairs Council, deciding to open accession negotiations with Serbia. Decisions authorising the opening of negotiations on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the EU and Kosovo were also adopted. Development Aid The EU agreed to resume development aid to Mali, as announced at an Informal Meeting of Development Ministers in Dublin on 12 February 2013, chaired by the Irish Presidency. Up to 250 million in EU funding will be made available in Agreement on reforms to EU State Aid Rules was secured by the Irish Presidency; ensuring more efficient and transparent monitoring of state aid by the Commission, improved data-gathering processes and improved co-operation between the Commission and Member States national courts. 8 European Movement Ireland

11 Transport Ireland recorded successes in the EU Presidency transport programme including a revision of the 2003 Directive on the reporting of occurrences that could endanger aviation safety, which will represent a step change in aviation safety systems in the EU. Technology and Information The Irish Presidency secured an agreement in early April 2013 on the development of Europe s state-of-the art global satellite navigation system. The purpose of the Regulation agreed is to establish a new financial and governance framework for the two European satellite navigation programmes, Galileo and the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), for the next financial period and beyond. The Irish Presidency reached a breakthrough agreement in early May on the re-use of Public Sector Information (PSI). It is hoped that increasing the re-use of PSI will generate new businesses and jobs and provide consumers with more choice and more value for money. LGBT Rights LGBT rights were high on the agenda of the Irish Presidency, with a particular focus on the discrimination of the youth members of the LGBT community. On 17 June 2013, the issue was brought to the fore at the LGBT Youth and Social Inclusion Conference in Dublin. The Conference followed on from the findings of a Europe-wide consultation with young people, which identified LGBT youth as one of the most socially excluded groups in Europe. As part of the Irish Presidency, Ireland s Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald, hosted an expert roundtable event on 21 and 22 June in Kildare. The event further explored the role of youth work in advancing the employment of young people, with a focus on the LGBT community. Gender Equality Two of the main issues with regard to gender equality focused on by the Irish Presidency were the promotion of economic equality between genders and gender-based violence. The Irish Presidency highlighted the issues of gender equality and economics by holding a two-day Gender Equality Conference in Dublin Castle. The conference focused specifically on advancing women in senior corporate positions and encouraging their increased participation in entrepreneurship. In mid-february, the Irish Presidency secured an agreement with the European Parliament, on behalf of EU Member States, on improving protection for victims of domestic violence. Final discussions were held between the Parliament and the Council of Ministers in Brussels on 19 February to reach an agreement on the European Protection Order (civil). This Regulation ensures that a civil protection order, such as a barring order for domestic violence, can still be enforced if the victim moves from one Member State to another. European Movement Ireland 9

12 A selection of events held during the Irish Presidency 9 January 2013: The Taoiseach and Tánaiste met with Herman van Rompuy, President of the European Council, to discuss cooperation between the Irish Presidency and the European Council in areas including the EU s future financing and Banking Union proposals. 10 January 2013: A plenary meeting between the Cabinet and the College of Commissioners focused on achieving the Irish Presidency s objectives of promoting stability and a return to economic growth and job creation. 10 January 2013: The European Year of Citizens 2013 was launched in Dublin City Hall by the Taoiseach Enda Kenny, the Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore, and the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso. The objective of the Year is to ensure that people around the EU are aware of and understand their rights as EU citizens and how to exercise them to the full. 24 February 2013: European Commission President, José Manuel Barroso, and European Parliament President, Martin Schulz, travelled to Dublin for key meetings with the Irish Presidency. Presidents Barroso and Schulz met with the Taoiseach Enda Kenny and the Irish Presidency to discuss the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). President Barroso then addressed the CEO Conference organised by the Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC) in Dublin as part of his visit. 8 March 2013: Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Christine Lagarde, travelled to Dublin for her first ever visit to a Eurozone programme country. During her stay, Ms Lagarde met with the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan. 17 April 2013: An Informal Meeting of EU Trade Ministers was held in Dublin as part of the Irish Presidency, and chaired by Ireland s Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton. The agenda included discussions of EU trade matters, including the potential of a new Free Trade Agreement with the US, as well as discussions about trade relations with some of the EU's most important trading partners. 18 April 2013: IBEC held a Business Roundtable on EU-US Trade and Investment in Dublin Castle. EU and US business leaders met in parallel with an Informal Meeting of EU Trade Ministers, in an effort to advance talks towards the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). The Dublin meetings were viewed as crucial in determining the likely parameters of TTIP. 19 & 20 June 2013: 600 delegates from across Europe s civil and private spheres descended upon Dublin for the European Digital Agenda Assembly. This was the first time the Assembly was held outside Brussels since the inaugural event in Over two days, workshops took place at Dublin Castle to plot the next chapter in the EU s Digital Agenda, with an emphasis on digital skills, entrepreneurship and achieving a digital single market. Speakers and delegates included policy-makers, regulators, NGOs and internet users from all over Europe. 10 European Movement Ireland

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