Mairead McGuinness MEP HARD WORKING, STRAIGHT TALKING Winter 2012
Irish EU Presidency Ireland assumes the Presidency of the European Council on January 1st. This is the seventh time we have held the Presidency and there are high expectations on us to deliver on a number of big political issues. The greatest challenge will be to agree a budget for the EU for the period 2014-2020, known as the Multiannual Financial Framework or MFF. This is a highly sensitive political issue and reaching agreement will be extremely difficult, but essential, if we are to continue with many EU policies. Already the stage has been set for cuts to the budget as originally proposed by the EU Commission. An agreement early in 2013 is vital in order for detailed work on many policy areas to advance. The future of the EU budget has very real implications for Ireland, especially when it comes to reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, the Common Fisheries
Policy and Horizon 2020, the budget for research and innovation.
fostering the emerging green economy will also be addressed.
As a country, Ireland has a well-earned reputation for managing efficient and impartial Presidencies with clear, achievable goals and objectives.
Fighting poverty and social exclusion will figure prominently on the Presidency agenda given the inclusion of poverty reduction targets in the Europe 2020 strategy. The Irish Presidency will also address the linkages between hunger, nutrition and climate justice, ensuring that these are adequately reflected in international development goals post-2015.
Our Presidency will focus on a number of priority issues but the main concern is the promotion of sustainable economic growth and the creation of jobs. Some 3.5 million jobs have been lost since the eurozone crisis began, so growth and employment will be centre stage. Of particular concern is the alarming rise in youth unemployment and here too the Irish Presidency will focus on efforts to tackle the problem. Developing foreign trade markets, encouraging the effective implementation of research and innovation policy and
Our Presidency is also an opportunity to promote Ireland as a trading and tourism nation. At home, the Government will bring the Presidency into towns and villages across the country, directly involving local people in showcasing Irish culture. Ireland will be both centre stage and in the “hot seat” for the first six months of 2013. It is a very good opportunity to build our international reputation as a hard-working and progressive Member State. We will need all of our collective skills of mediation and negotiation to work through the many challenges we face.
Come and See.... Each year we are delighted to welcome visitors to the European Parliament. The trips take place in spring and autumn and are designed to show at first hand the work of the Parliament and the role of MEPs in framing legislation. The trips are also an opportunity to visit EU Member States and better understand the EU project. The trips – to Brussels and Strasbourg – include a visit to the Parliament combined with a briefing session. Visits to various cultural sites and city tours are also included. If you would like to be part of these organised visits to the Parliament, please contact Emir Smith on 041 685 4633.
Contact Mairead Email: mairead.mcguinness@europarl.europa.eu Website: www.maireadmcguinness.ie
Constituency Office: Mentrim, Drumconrath, Navan, Co. Meath Tel: +353 (0)41 685 4633 Fax: +353 (0)41 685 4634 Brussels Office: Tel: +32 (0) 2284 7214 Fax: +32 (0) 2284 9214