Special Supplement The European Parliament and Poverty Report of four round-tables with MEPs, November 2004

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1 Special Supplement The European Parliament and Poverty Report of four round-tables with MEPs, November 2004 Participants at the Dublin South meeting in Cork with MEPs Kathy Sinnott, Simon Coveney and Brian Crowley In the first week of November 2004, EAPN Ireland Questions organised a series of four round tables to bring together anti-poverty groups and the members of the European The questions to the MEPs covered a wide range of Parliament (MEPs) to discuss issues for the next fiveyear term Parliamentary term. MEPs. They ranged from broad questions about issues loosely falling in the legal or political remit of The meetings were organised in a Questions and European coordination of anti-poverty policy to Answers format, chaired by Margaret Barry. questions about funding, about the rights of ethnic There was one meeting in each of the four minorities and disabled people, community development European Parliamentary Constituencies, hosted by Cork and rural development and even George Bush. City Partnership (Ireland South); Irish Traveller Follow-up Women s Forum and Community Workers Co-op (Ireland North and West, meeting in Galway); South Inner City Community Development Association (Dublin) and Drogheda Community Forum (Ireland East). Altogether, just over 130 representatives of antipoverty groups took part. As far as we are aware this is the first time that any group has brought together all of the MEPs around a particular theme. To be more accurate, we should say all except one, since Senator Avril Doyle, MEP, had to cancel due to other commitments. It is a tribute to the MEPs interest in poverty issues and the enthusiasm of community anti-poverty groups that this was such as success. Plans to organise a similar meeting in Northern Ireland have not yet come together. Learning about the Parliament Before the discussions with MEPs, EAPN Ireland organised a two-hour briefing and discussion on the role and working of the European Parliament and on some issues and policy processes which affect poverty (copies of the book of handouts are available on request). The morning also included short workshops where participants could discuss questions which they put to the MEPs in the afternoon. EAPN Ireland saw the meetings as the start of a longer-term engagement between anti-poverty activists and groups and MEPs. The meetings and their aftermath were used to exchange addresses, lobbyingpapers etc. by a large number of MEPs and groups and most participants who filled out evaluation forms said that they planned to keep contact with at least one MEP either directly or through EAPN Ireland.. For the MEPs to draw on the expertise in community groups, and for community groups to participate effectively in debates, implies a level of information about important decisions, their implications and when and where it is possible to intervene. EAPN Ireland tries to track these processes, but the challenge for EAPN and the MEPs is to find ways to streamline this information with that of MEPs. In the evaluation forms, most participants supported the idea of a similar meeting next year, with one against and several who did not answer this question. There were a large number of suggestions on changes to the format, ranging from single-issue meetings (rather than the broad-brush approach this year) to more discussion time and, in one case, smaller groups with one MEP in each. The idea of an organised visit to Brussels or Strasbourg was suggested by both MEPs and participants. Possible follow-up will be discussed with members and MEPs. EAPN Ireland Review, Autumn

2 Supplement: the European Parliament and Poverty Issues and debates Economic growth and social inclusion Concerns were raised at all four meetings that the fight against poverty was being sidelined in the drive for a more competitive EU. The beginning of the midterm review of the Lisbon strategy provided a focus for this. All of the MEPs agreed on the importance of preserving and strengthening the social inclusion pillar of the Lisbon strategy. Kathy Sinnott (Ind., South) said that the first five years of the strategy had not made a significant dent in poverty. She had spoken in the Parliament the previous week on the need for the midterm review of Lisbon to address this. Marian Harkin (Ind, North and West) stressed the importance of groups like EAPN in briefing MEPs on social aspects of the Lisbon strategy. Jim Higgins (FG, North and West) talked about the importance of NGOs in keeping poverty issues to the fore. Simon Coveney (FG, South) pointed out that all aspects of the Lisbon strategy were stalled, but the new Commission President Barossa had made it his priority for the next five years. Sean O Neachtain (FF, West) described the Lisbon Agenda as a structured way to bring about prosperity and social inclusion and Eoin Ryan (FF, Dublin) advocated a balanced approach. Marian Harkin (Ind., North and West) had raised the issue in the Oireachtas Committee on European Affairs. In Dublin, Prionsias de Rossa (Lab) said that, when the Lisbon Strategy was adopted, the EU had a majority of centre-left governments. Now, 19 of the 25 EU member states, including Ireland, had centre-right Governments. The Poverty Inter-Group, of which he is a member, has tried to integrate social, environmental and economic development. Gay Mitchell (FG, Dublin) said that economic and social development go hand in hand, and that rights Sean O Neachtain, MEP; Marian Harkin, MEP; Jim Higgins, MEP and Margaret Barry, Chairperson at the Ireland North and West meeting in Galway Kathy Sinnott, MEP; Margaret Barry, Chairperson; Robin Hanan, EAPN Ireland; Simon Coveney, MEP and Brian Crowley MEP at the Ireland South meeting in Cork need to be balanced by responsibilities. The Lisbon agenda can make the EU a more competitive and attractive place to invest. Poverty and income In all meetings, concern was expressed that the National Action Plans on Social Inclusion (NAPs Inclusion) would not reach their goal of making a decisive impact on the eradication of poverty by 2010 Robin Hanan (EAPN Ireland) called for the European Parliament to take a more active role in the monitoring and promoting the European Social Inclusion strategy and the NAPs Inclusion. Neither the European Parliament nor the Oireachtas had had hearings on the Joint Inclusion Report before it was adopted this year. Brian Crowley (FF, South) said that the precedent of the first Poverty Programmes, coming from Europe, should encourage us to seek EU initiatives against poverty. Mary Lou McDonald (SF Dublin) said that MEPs definitely have a role in holding governments to account on action they have taken, or not, in relation to EU initiatives. It is important to keep a focus on different aspects of exclusion, not to lump all issues together. There was considerable discussion in Dublin about how to ensure adequate income levels for social welfare recipients and the low paid. Prionsias de Rossa (Lab, Dub) had questioned Commissioner-Designate Vladamir pidla on whether he will start a discussion on how minimum income, wages and standards can be set, perhaps by linking them with average wages in each country, and pidla had reacted positively. He said that the Socialist group would pursue this over the next Parliamentary term. 6 EAPN Ireland Review, Autumn 2004

3 Jim Higgins (FG, North and West) said that he could take up poverty issues with colleagues in other committees as well as his own, and he needed good briefing for this. In Cork and Dublin, there was a discussion on the particular challenges of women s poverty and the growing poverty among lone parents. Gay Mitchell said that the Parliament could bring pressure to bear on national governments in this area, as co-legislators with the Council, and Eoin Ryan (FF Dublin) said that the Parliament could bring attention to the responsibilities of Governments, especially through inter-groups. In several of the meetings, questions were asked about how the EU can help to reach the NAPS target to end child poverty by Community Development and Funding Given the important role played by funding for community development and fighting poverty in the past, it is not surprising that funding issues came up at several meetings. In the Galway meeting, there was discussion on ways in which the next round of funding can support community groups in promoting rural development. Marian Harkin (Ind, North and West) said that the community and voluntary sector was essential to rural development. There was discussion in Drogheda about how the shift in the Common Agricultural Policy from farm supports to rural development would work out in practice and in Cork about how the concept of ruralproofing policies works at EU level. Mairead McGuinness (FG, East) said the truth about rural development is that there is only one pot of money to support farming in rural areas.. this will not be increased but re-distributed.. away from production-based payments to early retirement and other schemes. However Liam Aylward (FF, East) pointed out that farmers incomes were guaranteed under the CAP Mid- Term Review up to 2013, but environmental considerations and rural development were also part of the package. In Dublin, local community groups expressed concern about the lack of access for community groups to resources. In the earlier programmes, community groups could apply directly for funding and could use it in a flexible way which can be more responsive to needs that larger organisations. Now, most funding comes through state bodies and is less accessible. Participants in Galway EAPN Ireland Review, Autumn Mary-Lou McDonald (SF, Dublin) agreed that there was a lot of frustration with red tape in drawing down funds and this needs to be addressed. People working on the ground are the ones with the best knowledge, and this is often not tapped. Gay Mitchell (FG, Dublin) reminded people that the EU budget is less than 1.3% of GNP, so the main funding responsibility will have to be with national and local government. Prionsias de Rossa (Lab, Dublin)said that the Parliament had control over spending and MEPs Michael Mernagh, SICCDA; Eoin Ryan, MEP; MEP; Margaret Barry, Chairperson; Prionsias de Rossa, MEP; Mary-Lou McDonald, MEP; Robin Hanan, EAPN Ireland at the Dublin meeting had a chance to bring priority areas to the attention of their political group. Eoin Ryan (FF Dublin) asked groups present to let him know of important programmes coming up for decision so that he could propose amendments to the budget-lines. There was also interest in Galway in how to ensure investment in infrastructure in the North West and in balanced and sustainable rural development generally. Sean O Neachtain (FF, North and West), said that infrastructural and communications links should run North-South along the West, and not just centre on Dublin. Marian Harkin (Ind., North and West) pointed to the lack of research and development infrastructure in the West. She and Jim Higgins (FG, North and West) said that it was important that money under structural funds Objective 2 is targeted to areas of greatest need after In Drogheda, the potential of the EU to enforce controls on water pollution was questioned, given the continuing problems at Lough Sheelin. The two MEPs present, Liam Aylward (FF) and Mairead McGuinness (FG) agreed to look into the issues. In Cork, the MEPs discussed whether the EU can take a more active role in monitoring damage to road and footbridge works recently paid by European funds.

4 Supplement: the European Parliament and Poverty Cuts in funding to drugs task forces were discussed in Drogheda and the MEPs there (Mairead McGuinness, FG, and Liam Aylward, FF) agreed to look into this. Community Employment The importance of Community Employment (CE) schemes and the problems caused by recent cut-backs came up at all the meetings. Brian Crowley (FF, South) described them as a key to the social economy and said that the three-year rule impacted particularly on personal assistants for disabled people. Liam Aylward (FF, East) agreed strongly with the importance of CE schemes in promoting re-integration in the workforce and giving people dignity and purpose. He agreed to look into a particular issue raised by the Irish Wheelchair Association in relation to mainstreaming CE schemes into general employment. Sean O Neachtain (FF, North and west) pledged to work to ensure that CE schemes are not undermined. Simon Coveney (FG, South) said that the Minister of State had turned down a proposal from the disability sector to mainstream CE schemes two and a half years ago, and this now needed to be reversed. Kathy Sinnott (Ind, South) described CE schemes as essential, especially in rural areas, and said that the threeyear rule should be taken away. Refugees and Asylum Seekers The growing importance of European discussions and initiatives in relation to refugees and asylum seekers was raised in all four meetings. Participants asked questions about the role of the European Parliament in relation to media portrayal of refugees and asylum seekers, about policies like direct provision and the denial of the right to work, which creates poverty and social exclusion among asylum seekers, and about the exclusion of asylum seekers from social inclusion initiatives. Several MEPs agreed to look into the reasons for Ireland s non-adoption of Council Directive EC on the minimum standards for the reception of asylum seekers, particularly the parts which dealt with access to the labour market and vocational training. Kathy Sinnott (Ind., South) said that the EU should be a quality-controller as regards human rights, particularly for refugees and migrants, and Simon Coveney (FG, South) said there should be a definite proposal at EU level on minimum standards for asylum seekers. All three MEPs in the North and West Constituency, Marian Harkin (Ind), Sean O Neachtain, (FF) and Jim Higgins,( FG), agreed strongly that asylum seekers should be allowed to work. Sean O Neachtain said that he would promote a Europe-wide discussion on this issue and the rights of asylum seekers and refugees generally. Jim Higgins (FG, North and West) said that, as Justice spokesperson, he had opposed direct provision as degrading. The Minister s assertion that allowing asylum seekers to work creates a pull factor is absolute nonsense. He called for amendment to the Aliens Act to allow easier residency and citizenship. Marian Harkin (Ind., North and West) referred to the huge xenophobia around asylum seekers and suggested that information campaigns were needed to counter myths about welfare entitlements of asylum seekers as well as allowing them to work Mary-Lou McDonald (SF, Dublin) described the Irish Government policies on refugees as shameful and referred to the approach across the EU of building a fortress Europe. Prionsias de Rossa (Labour, Dublin) agreed that the media often deepened prejudice against asylum seekers, as they did with Travellers, and suggested this could be taken up with the Cultural Committee of the Parliament. Reports of proposals to establish holding camps outside the EU for asylum seekers were also raised and were condemned by most MEPs. Mairead McGuinness (FG, East) said that the proposal needed more thought. We had to be aware that, at present, hundreds of people are trying to cross the Mediterranean in unsafe small boats. Jim Higgins (North and West) reminded people that similar proposals, for boat camps had been floated by the Irish Government some years before. Migrant Workers The position of migrant workers came up at most of the meetings. There were questions about rights and integration into the workplace, as well as fears of exploitation, particularly for those from the new EU member countries. Kathy Sinnott (Ind., South) mentioned very poor living conditions of some Polish migrants who she had met. Brian Crowley (FF, South) said that it was important for nationals of their new members states to be aware of their rights, including minimum wages and standards. The Gardai need to be aware of breeches of standards, particularly by public contractors. The particularly vulnerable position of the hundreds of thousands of Estonians and Latvians who cannot obtain citizenship due to language tests was raised. Prionsias de Rossa (Lab, Dublin) suggested that this could be an appropriate case for the Petitions Committee. If the petition is upheld by the Commission, the Latvian Government could be obliged to change its practices. He also mentioned the possibility of a declaration of 200 MEPs to force a resolution to be discussed by the Parliament s Plenary session. 8 EAPN Ireland Review, Autumn 2004

5 Eoin Ryan (FF, Dublin) quoted a Latvian colleague in the Parliament to the effect that the Russian speakers need to show a greater commitment to Latvian society before claiming citizenship. Travellers and racism Most MEPs responded to questions about the recognition of Travellers as an ethnic minority at EU level and the potential to tackle disadvantage in the Travelling community by saying that this was mainly a challenge at national and local level. Some participants pointed out that attempts by Travellers to assert their own culture, like the Citizen Traveller initiative, were thwarted if they threatened Government. Liam Aylward (FF, East) suggested that there should be an initiative at EU level on the position of Travellers and Roma. Jim Higgins (FG, North and West) said that the Equal Status Act and Employment Equality Act were very important initiatives in terms of Travellers rights, but needed stronger promotion. Sean O Neachtain (FF, North and West) said that education was the key to Travellers rights and advancement in society. Marian Harkin (Ind, North and West) agreed, saying that the current education system does not have the flexibility needed by Travellers lifestyles. Mary Lou McDonald (SF, Dublin) said that it was important to name what is being done to Travellers as racism and that this needs to be fought at national and local level. Several MEPs regretted that divisions between Travellers and settled people now seem to be deeper than a generation ago. In Galway, the MEPs were asked how they could support community groups pushing for the Framework decision on racism. Sean O Neachtain said that the Council seemed to be the blockage. The three MEPs present agreed that this decision would be vital and promised to follow-up the issue when they find out more about it. Violence against women, trafficking, sex industry One participant asked if the participants considered the sex industry as a legitimate form of employment, given the drive to promote a job at any price, and the vulnerability of women in particular. Marian Harkin (Ind. North and West) said that trafficking of women and children for the sex industry needed to be addressed on an EU level because it was an international problem. Prionsias de Rossa (Labour, Dublin) said that justice and home affairs is largely a matter for national government, but this does not stop the Parliament from debating it. Eoin Ryan (FF, Dublin) agreed that this is a huge problem and needs an EU response. The lack of progress on the draft Directive on Violence against women was also raised and a number of MEPs agreed to look into it and support proposals from the European Women s Lobby. Sean O Neachtain (FF, West) said that the ability of the EU to act in this area would be strengthened if the draft Constitution is adopted. Homelessness, housing and accommodation The question of whether housing should be an EU competence so as to promote basic standards was raised in Dublin. In Drogheda there was a more general discussion on how to tackle homelessness. In Galway, there was a discussion on how we can learn better from other countries so as to promote affordable housing for those on low incomes. The MEPs pointed out that the EU has, strictly, no competence for housing matters, although many EU initiatives impact on housing and homelessness. Brian Crowley (FF, South) referred to an important report which he drafted in 1995 on the social implications of a right to housing. Simon Coveney (FG, South) said that there was an InterGroup on homelessness which did important work drawing experience together across the EU. Prionsias de Rossa (Lab., Dublin) said that this is an issue which should come up under the Lisbon Strategy. Mary Lou McDonald (SF, Dublin) agreed that it was a national issue and said that her party was promoting a right to housing in the Irish constitution. she had volunteered for an inter-group on social housing and had not yet heard the outcome yet. Sean O Neachtain (FF, North and West) said that Ireland had a good record of house building, but she not all of it was affordable to people on low incomes. Marian Harkin (Ind., North and West) talked about the need for good estate management to make estates accessible to all. She pointed to the fact that many others EU countries have less homelessness, and the need to learn from countries with better spending and social provision. Mental Health and disability There was a strong focus at all the meetings on Schizophrenia and mental health generally. The particular flexibility and supports needed for people with mental health issues in employment were discussed, as were welfare rates and access to work. Mairead Mc Guinness (FG, East) is a member of the European Parliament s inter-group on disability and agreed to raise issues from Schizophrenia Ireland there. Kathy Sinnott (Ind., South) is involved in a proposal to establish an InterGroup on autism, which will link too the disability group. Brian Crowley (FF, South) talked about the importance of anti-discrimination clauses in the Amsterdam Treaty. He pointed out that disabled people EAPN Ireland Review, Autumn

6 Supplement: the European Parliament and Poverty still suffer from very high unemployment, but this should improve as labour market conditions change. He defended the Disability Bill as a rights-based law, putting standards in place and putting responsibilities onto governments. Simon Coveney (FG, South) stressed the importance of independent living and the supports needed to achieve this. He saw a role for the committee he is a member of, Consumer Affairs, in this. Kathy Sinnott (Ind., South) said that flexibility in the workplace is essential to achieve integration. Prionsias de Rossa (Labour, Dublin) said that there had been a lot of resistance to including mental health rights into the draft EU Constitution, and it was only possible to include some references to public health. The potential for co-operation and learning between countries on policies on disability was discussed in Drogheda. Liam Aylward (FF, Louth), who is also a TD, agreed to look into the alleged cuts in the mental health budget, from 10.6% to 6.8% of the health budget. Childcare and educational disadvantage. Several questions about educational disadvantage were raised, pointing out that the Irish Government has made commitments at EU level in the NAPs Inclusion, but there has been little follow-through. It was pointed out that no Irish MEPs had joined the Education Committee, indicating a shortage of interest in this area. Mairead McGuinness (FG, East) stressed the importance of early childhood education, without which it is hard for children to catch up later. Marian Harkin (Ind, North and West) also stressed the importance of pre-school education in removing barriers. Prionsias de Rossa (Lab., Dublin) said that there was no reason why early school leaving cannot be dealt with under the Lisbon Agenda. The importance of childcare, not only in the context of work, was also raised and endorsed strongly by Kathy Sinnott (Ind, South). Older People The rights of older people, including discrimination at work, were raised in several meetings. Questions were also raised about how to provide effective care are in the community for older people (Galway) and to recognise this as serious work (Drogheda). Mairead McGuinness (FG, East) endorsed the importance of resourcing caring properly, so that care in the home was not just an excuse to save money. Liam Aylward (FF, East) said that Ireland is ahead of Europe in terms of providing for the pension implications of demographic change. Marian Harkin (Ind., North and West) pointed out that the demographic situation in Ireland is different from both the other old EU member states and the new states, which have older populations. Buttiglione controversy The controversy over the withdrawal of the proposed European Commission was raised in both Galway and Dundalk. Several MEPs said that they would have voted for the Commission as a whole, in spite of reservations by about Signor Buttiglione s suitability for the antidiscrimination post, because they felt the overall package was acceptable and they had been given sufficient reassurances by President-designate Barossa. A participant in Galway suggested that this was contrary to the commitment to equality, especially nondiscrimination on grounds of sexuality. Kathy Sinnott (Ind, South) saw the moves against the Commission as a grab for power by Euro-federalists to undermine intergovernmentalism. Liam Aylward (FF East) joked that this was the first time that many of his neighbors had taken an interest in the European Parliament. The Irish media needs to take a more rounded view of issues coming up in the European Parliament. Draft EU Constitution The implications of the proposed new EU Constitution were discussed in Cork and Galway. Kathy Sinnott (Ind., South) said that it would override the Irish Constitution. This was countered by Brian Crowley, who said that Article 29 of the Irish Constitution, adopted in 1972, already says that no article in it can overturn a European law, so this is not a change. Global perspective Mairead McGuinness (FG, East), reacting to the breaking news of President Bush s re-election, said that we in Europe need to be less dismissive of American views, particularly in areas like morality. Liam Aylward (FF, East) did not agree with a questioner that US views on issues like gay marriages could set a trend for Europeans. Most MEPs supported the calls for Ireland to reach the target of 0.7% of GNP on overseas development 10 EAPN Ireland Review, Autumn 2004

7 Supplement: the European Parliament and Poverty Information Note 1 - The European Parliament The current European Parliament was directly elected from the 25 EU member states in June It has 732 members, of whom thirteen are from the Republic of Ireland (see page 11) and three from Northern Ireland. The Parliament is very different now from its ancestor, the six-country Parliamentary Assembly of the European Economic Community (EEC), set up on This is not only a matter of scale. The Parliament was first elected by the people, as opposed to national parliaments, only in Although the Council (of Ministers) and the European Council (of Prime Ministers) is still by far the most powerful body in EU policy and legislation, over time the Parliament has steadily acquired greater influence and power through a series of Treaties which have increased the number of areas where they must be consulted or involved in decision-making. The Parliament's main functions The European Parliament has three fundamental powers: legislative power, budgetary power and supervisory power. It considers the Commission's proposals and is associated with the Council in the legislative process by means of various procedures (codecision, assent, consultation) It shares budgetary powers with the Council in voting on the annual budget and overseeing its implementation It has the power of supervision over the Union's activities through its confirmation of the appointment of the Commission and through the written and oral questions it can put to the Commission and the Council; Committees of the Parliament Much of the work of the Parliament is carried out by 20 Committees. These draw up and adopt reports on legislative proposals and can initiate their own reports on current issues. They can also prepare opinions for other standing committees. The Committees, and their Irish members, are listed on page 12. MEPs can also work together informally on matters of common concern through the so-called inter-groups. EAPN is currently working with ATD 4 th World to support the re-forming of an inter-group on poverty. Information Note 2 - Political Groups in the Parliament The Members of the European Parliament group themselves by party groups, rather than by national delegations. Currently, there are 7 political groups, and a number of non-aligned members, as follows: European Group Irish Members EPP-ED (Group of the European People s Party and European 268 Fine Gael 5 Democrats), PES (Socialist Group in the European Parliament), 200 Labour Party 1 ALDE (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe), 88 Marian Harkin (Ind) 1 (and PDs) Greens/EFA (Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance), 42 (Green Party) GUE/NGL (Confederal Group of the European United Left 41 Sinn Fein 1 Nordic Green Left), IND-DEM (Independence and Democracy) 37 Kathy Sinnott (Ind) 1 UEN (Union for Europe of the Nations Group) 27 Fianna Fail 4 Non Aligned Members 29 Totals Further information on the Parliament is at (Irish Office) and (European) EAPN Ireland Review, Autumn

8 Supplement: the European Parliament and Poverty The 15 MEPs (Information and pictures from the Website of the Irish office of the European Parlaiment Ireland North and West Ireland East MARIAN HARKIN TD INDEPENDENT 1 Dominic Street, Sligo Tel: (071) Fax: (071) mharkin@europarl.eu.int SEN. JIM HIGGINS FINE GAEL Devlis, Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo Tel: (094) , (01) Fax: (094) , (01) jhiggins@europarl.eu.int SEÁN Ó NEACHTAI N - FIANNA FÁIL 42 Prospect Hill, Galway Tel: (091) Fax: (091) soneachtain@europarl.eu.int Ireland South SIMON COVENEY TD FINE GAEL 6a Anglesea Street, Cork Tel: (021) Fax: (021) scoveney@europarl.eu.int : BRIAN CROWLEY - FIANNA FAIL Maryborough Lodge, Maryborough Hill, Douglas, Cork Tel: +353 (0) Fax: +353 (0) bcrowley@europarl.eu.int KATHY SINNOTT St. Joseph, Ballinabearna, Ballinhassig, Co Cork Tel: (021) (087) ksinnott@europarl.eu.int INDEPENDENT LIAM AYLWARD TD - FIANNA FÁIL Aghaviller, Hugginstown, Co. Kilkenny Tel: (056) , (01) Fax: (056) , (01) laylward@europarl.eu.int AVRIL DOYLE - FINE GAEL Richmond Terrace, Spawell Road, Wexford Tel: (053) Fax: (053) adoyle@europarl.eu.int MAIREAD MCGUINNESS FINE GAEL Ardee Business Park, Ardee, Co. Louth Tel: (041) Fax: (041) mmcguinness@europarl.eu.int Dublin PROINSIAS DE ROSSA LABOUR Liberty Hall - room 1410, Dublin 1, Tel: (01) Fax: (01) pderossa@europarl.eu.int MARY LOU MC DONALD, SINN FÉIN 58 Parnell Square, Dublin 1 Tel: (01) , mlmcdonald@europarl.eu.int GAY MITCHELL TD - FINE GAEL Leinster House, Dublin 2 Tel: (01) , Fax: (01) gmitchell@europarl.eu.int EOIN RYAN TD - FIANNA FÁIL 19 Vavasour Square, Sandymount, Dublin 4 Tel: (01) , Fax: (01) eryan@europarl.eu.int; 12 EAPN Ireland Review, Autumn 2004

9 Supplement: the European Parliament and Poverty Committees of the European Parliament With Irish members and (substitute members) Committees 1. Foreign Affairs: Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP); European security and defence policy (ESDP); relations with international organisations and third countries; overseeing accession negotiations with EU candidate countries; human rights and democracy issues in third countries 2. Development : EU development and aid policy; EU Partnership agreements with developing countries; election observation missions 3. International Trade: EU trade policy and external economic relations; relations with the WTO 4. Budgets : The exercise of Parliament s budgetary powers; multi-annual financial framework of the EU's revenue and expenditure; financial activities of the European Investment Bank (EIB) Irish Members Simon Coveney (Prionsias de Rossa) (Kathy Sinnott) Gay Mitchell (Eoin Ryan) (Mairead McGuinness) (Sean O'Neactain) 5. Budgetary Control : Control of the implementation of the EU budget; auditing of the accounts and balance sheets of the EU and its institutions; monitoring the cost-effectiveness of Community financing; action against fraud and irregularities in the implementation of the budget; relations with the Court of Auditors 6. Economic & Monetary Affairs : EU economic and monetary policies; the functioning of Economic and Monetary union; free movement of capital and payments; relations with international financial and monetary institutions and organisations; rules on competition and state or public aid; regulation and supervision of financial services, institutions and markets 7. Employment & Social Affairs : Employment policy; social policy and social protection; health and safety in the workplace; EU vocational training policy, including professional qualifications; free movement of workers and pensioners 8. Environment, Public Health & Food Safety : Environmental policy and environmental protection; pollution and climate change; sustainable development; labeling and safety of foodstuffs; The European Food Safety Authority and the European Food and Veterinary Office 9. Industry, Research & Energy : EU industrial policy; EU research policy; EU energy policy; EU space policy; nuclear safety; the information society and information technology 10. Internal Market & Consumer Protection : Functioning of the EU internal market and customs union; free movement of goods including the harmonisation of technical standards; promotion and protection of the economic interests of consumers 11. Transport & Tourism : EU rail, road, maritime and air transport policy; development of transeuropean networks in transport infrastructure; transport safety; postal services; tourism 12. Regional Development : EU regional and cohesion policy; European Regional Development Fund and the Cohesion Fund 13. Agriculture : EU agricultural policy; operation and development of the CAP; rural development; forestry 14. Fisheries : EU common fisheries policy; conservation of fishery resources; Structural policy in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors; International fisheries agreements Gay Mitchell Eoin Ryan Prionsias de Rossa Mary Lou McDonald Kathy Sinnott (Marian Harkin) Liam Aylward Avril Doyle Kathy Sinnott (Avril Doyle) (Simon Coveney) Sean O'Neactain (Jim Higgins, Kathy Sinnott) Marian Harkin Jim Higgins Mairead McGuinness (Liam Aylward) Sean O'Neactain (Liam Aylward, Simon Coveney, Brian Crowley) 15. Culture & Education : EU cultural policy; EU education policy; EU audiovisual policy; EU youth policy; EU sport policy 16. Legal Affairs : Interpretation and application of European law; compliance of EU law with the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality; civil and commercial law; intellectual property law; statute focus of the European Parliament Civil Liberties, Justice & Home Affairs : Protection of fundamental rights within the EU; personal data protection; EU asylum policy; EU immigration policy; EU police and judicial co-operation Constitutional Affairs : EU Constitutional Treaty; institutional aspects of European integration; institutional aspects of enlargement; EU political parties; application of Parliament s Rules of Procedure Women's Rights & Gender Equality : Promotion and protection of women's rights in the EU; promotion of women's rights in third countries; EU equal opportunities policy Petitions : Petitions to the European parliament; relations with the European Ombudsman EAPN Ireland Review, Autumn 2004 (Brian Crowley) (Mary Lou McDonald, Kathy Sinnott) Brian Crowley (Kathy Sinnott) Prionsias de Rossa Mairead McGuinness 13

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