National Forum on Europe - Ireland

The National Forum on Europe

Government established the National Forum on Europe after the first Nice Referendum. It was given responsibility for generating ongoing national discussion on all issues pertaining to the future development of the European Union.

The Forum is made up of members of the Oireachtas together with an Observer Pillar consisting of a range of organisations with various interests in the development of the European Union. Members of the Observer Pillar have the right to full participation in the debates but don’t have voting rights.

Having urged Government over many years to establish a forum of this nature the Commission welcomed its establishment and was glad to accept a seat in the Observer Pillar of the Forum. The Commission has been very active in the Forum’s ongoing deliberations at both national and local levels. Fr Sean Healy represents the Commission on the Forum and his alternate is Sr Maureen O’Connell who has played a very active role in the Forum’s work.

In recent months the Forum has focused on the new draft EU treaty being developed by the Convention on the Future of Europe (established by the Council of Ministers and based in Brussels). This treaty may well mark a watershed in EU development as it is likely to propose the first ever constitution to guide the EU and to replace all existing treaties.

The Justice Commission continues to emphasis the importance of three key issues concerning the future of Europe that are not being adequately addressed at present i.e. social policy and socio-economic rights, the democratic deficit and the issue of neutrality.

For latest updates on the Forum on Europe - Ireland.