The European Parliament Office in Ireland
The European Parliament Information Office in Ireland provides information on the European Parliament's role and powers, on the Irish MEPs and their activities, and on issues currently being considered by the Parliament.
Latest News
12 March 2010: 'This is not a gender issue, it is a democratic issue'
These were the words of Elaine Byrne, columnist with the Irish Times, as she addressed today's forum which asked the question 'do we need quotas to ensure women are fairly represented?' The event, organised by the European Parliament Office in Ireland to commemorate International Women's Day, was also addressed by Labour Party MEP, Nessa Childers, by Rachel Doyle of the National Women's Council of Ireland and by Gail McElroy of Trinity College. All members of the panel agreed that the lack of childcare provision was a significant factor in low female representation and that as Ms Childers stated, the lack of female representation in politics meant that the Irish political system 'seems to be one designed by men, for men.'
9 March 2010: Irish winner who will compete for Charlemagne Youth Prize announced
'You are here', a book project including contributions from 14 young people across Europe, was today announced as the Irish winner which will go forward to compete for the Charlemagne European Youth Prize in Aachen in Germany on 11 May. The project, which was submitted by John Holten from Ardee, Co. Louth, brought together young people born after 1980, 'who enjoy freedom of movement in Europe and work in a country they did not grow up in.' These young people have also grown up without the shadow of the Berlin Wall. Mr Holten said that the project had succeeded in creating 'greater European awareness among [the] group, including people who would normally not get a chance to meet each other or publish their work together.'
5 March 2010: EP News - What is happening in the European Parliament next week?
Next week, MEPs will discuss and vote on a range of issues, including:
- Less red tape for smaller companies
- Bringing your pets on holidays
- MEPs call for independent report into Israeli military operation in Gaza
- EU internal market and consumer protection
- Low carbon technologies
- The EU's 2020 strategy - economic recovery for the EU and a smarter, greener economy
