National Forum on Europe

The Taoiseach, Mr. Bertie Ahern T.D. has announced that the inaugural meeting of the National Forum on Europe will take place in St. Patrick's Hall, Dublin Castle, on Thursday, 18 October, 2001 at 3 p.m.

Following consultations with the parties and groups participating in the Forum, the composition, terms of reference and chairing of the Forum have been agreed. The Taoiseach, on behalf of the Government, has nominated the distinguished public servant and independent member of Seanad Éireann, Senator Maurice Hayes to be the independent Chairperson of the Forum. Senator Hayes has agreed to act. The Taoiseach thanked Senator Hayes for his public-spirited readiness to undertake this role and expressed full confidence in Senator Hayes' ability to chair and guide the Forum's deliberations in a balanced and impartial manner.

The Taoiseach has today written to each of the parties and groups represented in the Oireachtas and to independents inviting participation and outlining the proposed arrangements for the Forum. These include a Steering Committee representative of those participating, which will, subject to the plenary Forum, settle the Forum's programme and business, including the timing and frequency of its meetings.

The Forum will be headed by an independent Secretariat, drawn from the public service and headed by Mr. Walter Kirwan, Assistant Secretary, Department of the Taoiseach, who previously acted as Secretary-General of the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation and Co-ordinator of the Secretariat of the New Ireland Forum.

10 October, 2001

National Forum on Europe

Briefing Note1. Following consultations with the political parties, the Government have finalised arrangements for the National Forum on Europe. The Forum will hold its inaugural meeting on 18 October. It will operate on a basis broadly similar to that of the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation (FPR).

Purpose of the Forum

2. The purpose of the Forum will be
(i) to facilitate a broad discussion of issues relevant to Ireland's membership of an enlarging Union, and
(ii) to consider the range of topics arising in the context of the debate on the Future of Europe.

Terms of Reference

3. The terms of reference are attached at Annex 1. They locate the work of the Forum in the framework of Ireland's experience of membership and our evolving relationship with the Union, including in the context of enlargement. A two-stage approach is proposed whereby a debate on the implications of enlargement and the organisation of the Future of Europe debate would be followed by an examination of Ireland's overall relationship with the European Union and issues relating to the Future of Europe discussion.

Duration of Forum

4. The Terms of Reference envisage that the work of the Forum will fall into two phases. The overall duration of the Forum will be a matter for the Chairperson in consultation with the membership and the Government. It is not intended, however, that the work of the Forum would take an inordinate period of time.

Composition

5. Following the precedent of the FPR, membership of the Forum will be limited to members of the Oireachtas and those nominated by parties represented in the Oireachtas. As with the previous Forum, there is provision for Members and Alternate Members.

6. The allocation of seats in the Forum (Annex 2) takes into account seats won and percentage of first preference votes achieved in the 1997 General Election; proportionately, the allocation is to the benefit of the smaller parties and groups.

7. MEPs, from North and South, will have the right of attendance and participation, within procedures to be agreed.

Special Observer Pillar

8. To ensure that the Forum is as inclusive as possible, there will also be a Special Observer Pillar. Inclusion in this confers certain privileges, beyond those available to other groups (speaking rights, access to documents, back-up facilities etc.).

9. A number of organisations including the Social Partners, groups active in the Nice referendum campaign or European affairs generally, registered political parties not represented in the Oireachtas and parties from Northen Ireland will be invited to form part of this Pillar. An indicative list is at Annex 3. Other organisations which wish to be considered for inclusion in the Special Observer Pillar should contact the Forum Secretariat.

10. In addition, the Forum will pro-actively seek submissions and take evidence from a wide cross-section of groups and individuals. It may also commission a series of expert studies.

Chairmanship, Steering Committee, Secretariat, Location

11. The Forum will be chaired by Senator Maurice Hayes, and will be serviced by an independent Secretariat, headed by Mr Walter Kirwan. A Steering Committee, comprising the Forum's Chairperson and one full member from each political party or grouping entitled to full membership of the Forum, will be responsible, under the authority of the Forum's Plenary, for the management of the Forum's business. The Forum will be based in Dublin Castle.

Other Issues

12. To promote greater awareness of its work, it is envisaged that certain Forum-related events will take place at centres outside of Dublin.

13. The Forum will establish its own dedicated web-site where relevant documents will be accessible, and submissions can be made.

14. The Forum Secretariat will seek to encourage comprehensive and balanced media coverage of the Forum.

Annex 1

National Forum on Europe Terms of Reference

The National Forum on Europe will provide the basis for an inclusive and broadly-based debate on Ireland's participation in the European Union, and on the overall functioning and future development of the Union. In this regard, and in the context of the issues raised by the debate on the Treaty of Nice, the Forum will examine Ireland's experience of and evolving relationship with the Union, and consider the implications for the Union, and for Ireland as a member, of the extensive enlargement now in prospect.

Against this background of significant expansion in the membership of the Union, and with a view to contributing to the wider review now under way among all Member States, the Forum will also consider the range of issues which arise in relation to the Future of Europe debate which is intended to culminate in a further Intergovernmental Conference in 2004. These issues will include the topics identified by the Heads of State or Government at the European Council in Nice in December 2000.In its first phase, to conclude within about three months, the Forum will focus on the implications of, and the preparations for, the proposed Enlargement of the EU. It will also consider the organisation and structure for the debate on the Future of Europe, which are to be decided at the Laeken European Council in December 2001.

The Forum may, as it so decides, present a report or reports.

Annex 2

National Forum on Europe Membership

Full Members*Alternates

Fianna Fail 107

Fine Gael 75

Labour 53

Progressive Democrats 32

Green Party 22

Sinn Fein 11

Socialist Party 11

Independent Deputies 22

Independent Senators 21

Total 3324*

In addition, there well be a third category for substitutes, to be agreed.

Annex 3

National Forum on Europe Special Observer Pillar

The following is an indicative list of categories and organisations* which will be invited to form part of the Special Observer Pillar:

  • BUSINESS / EMPLOYER PILLAR
  • TRADE UNION PILLAR
  • CHURCHES
  • COMMUNITY AND VOLUNTARY PILLAR
  • FARMING PILLAR
  • AFRI
  • PEACE AND NEUTRALITY ALLIANCE
  • 'NO TO NICE'· NATIONAL PLATFORM
  • EUROPEAN MOVEMENT (Ireland)
  • INSTITUTE FOR EUROPEAN AFFAIRS
  • NORTHERN IRELAND POLITICAL PARTIES·
  • REGISTERED POLITICAL PARTIES NOT REPRESENTED IN THE OIREACHTAS*

Other groups or organisations which wish to be considered for participation in the Special Observer Pillar should contact the Forum Secretariat.