New Oireachtas Sub-Committe

Former Minister Michael McDowell to be First Witness at New Oireachtas Sub-Committee


27th April 2010

A new Oireachtas sub-Committee which will consider how the Houses of the Oireachtas can best use the new powers and entitlements granted under the Lisbon Treaty will hold its first public hearings, tomorrow, 28th April at 5pm in Committee Room 3 of Leinster House.

Former Justice Minister and current Senior Counsel, Michael McDowell will be the first witness at the new Committee. Mr McDowell will be joined by fellow Senior Council Anthony Collins.

Over the course of the coming weeks the Committee will hold hearings with a number of witnesses from the political, civic and legal area. Among those due to appear before the Committee are former Taoiseach, John Bruton and past President of the European Parliament Pat Cox

The Committee will also be hearing from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, MEPs and other relevant figures.

The Committee will review the interim arrangements agreed by the D il and Seanad last December for the implementation of the relevant Lisbon Treaty provisions. As part of its work, the Committee intends to look at what can be learnt from approaches taken by other parliaments post Lisbon.

The Committee will also recommend new approaches to advancing the discussion of European Affairs within the Oireachtas and how it can effectively use the new powers guaranteed under the Lisbon Treaty.

Committee Chairperson, Lucinda Creighton TD said;
“The Lisbon Treaty has significantly changed national parliaments’ relationship with the EU. Parliaments have been given a range of new powers and entitlements which enable them to contribute actively to the good functioning of the Union.

The onus is now on us to make sure that we properly use this new authority to find the best way to scrutinise and critically analyse European proposals in the best interest of Ireland.

It is vitally important that these new rights are effectively implemented by the Oireachtas and by each national parliament in the EU if the Union is to become more transparent, accountable and ultimately democratic.

In order for the Oireachtas to achieve this, the way we deal with EU matters needs to be critically examined and significantly revised in light of the Lisbon Treaty. The work of this Committee will help to realise this objective.”

The Committee is a sub-Committee of the Oireachtas European Affairs Committee and the Oireachtas Committee on European Scrutiny. Its full title is Oireachtas Sub-Committee on the Review of the Role of the Oireachtas in European Affairs. The two Joint Committees have been asked to report to both Houses within six months.

The Committee will also review the recommendations made by Sub Committee on Ireland’s Future in the European Union which reported in November 2008.

The Committee can be viewed on line at: http://www.oireachtas.ie/ViewDoc.asp?fn=/documents/livewebcast/Web-Live.htm&CatID=83&m=o