The Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs chaired by Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Barry Ward hosts the Meeting of the Chairpersons of COSAC in Dublin Castle on Monday 13th July. The Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann, Ms Verona Murphy TD will deliver the opening address.
COSAC is the Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs of Parliaments of the European Union. It brings together representatives from EU Affairs Committees across all Member States to exchange information, scrutinise EU legislative proposals and strengthen democratic oversight of EU decision making. It is the main forum through which national parliaments and the European Parliament cooperate on EU affairs.
9:00 Welcoming address by Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann, Ms Verona Murphy TD
9:10 Opening Session by the Cathaoirleach of the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs, Mr Barry Ward TD
9:30 Session I: Priorities of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union
- Keynote Address by An Taoiseach Mr Micheál Martin TD
11:30 Session II: Parliamentary Cooperation and Democratic Resilience in an Uncertain World.
Keynote Speakers:
- Mr Michael McGrath, Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, European Commission.
- Prof Brigid Laffan, Emeritus Professor of European Politics, European University Institute.
Speaking ahead of the meeting Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Barry Ward said
“The Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Union Affairs looks forward to hosting the Meeting of the Chairpersons of COSAC which plays a central role in encouraging dialogue on key policy areas among European parliamentarians. At the meeting, we will discuss the Priorities of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which are focused on the three pillars of security, competitiveness and values.
For the second session, we will discuss the importance of parliamentary cooperation and how we can help ensure the resilience of our European democracies in the current geopolitical environment. This session will be particularly crucial, as at the Plenary Meeting of COSAC in December, we will consider wider issues relating to this theme regarding EU enlargement and the European neighbourhood, climate adaptation and just transition, and the digital environment.
Deputy Ward added “COSAC remains an important mechanism for ensuring that national parliaments are actively involved in the EU legislative process and Ireland, as host, will strive to ensure that all voices are heard and democracy is paramount.”
Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann, Ms Verona Murphy TD said
“It is a great honour for me to give my opening remarks at the first event of the parliamentary dimension of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union. It brings opportunity but also carries a clear responsibility to represent and deliver for the people we serve.
During the Presidency we will host conferences on key challenges facing Europe today; from conflict and security to economic pressures, digital change and the strength of our democracies to generational renewal in agriculture and peace-building. These are not distant issues and they require practical shared solutions. Europe is strongest when we work together and when we keep people at the centre of our decisions.
As Ceann Comhairle, I look forward to welcoming delegates from across Europe and to working together with a shared focus on the people we represent.”
The meeting will be livestreamed and can be viewed from 9am on Monday.
Read more on Irelands Parliamentary Dimension of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.