Accountability Report 2013 Annual Report Tracking Ireland’s Engagement with the EU European Movement Ireland www.europeanmovement.ie Accountability Report 2013 Table of Contents Chairperson’s Welcome ............................................................................................................. 3 Executive Director’s Foreword ................................................................................................... 4 EM Ireland Values & Mission Statement .................................................................................... 5 List of Acronyms .......................................................................................................................... 6 Accountability Report Indicators .............................................................................................. 9 Methodology ............................................................................................................................ 10 Executive Summary .................................................................................................................. 12 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 14 Chapter One – Pre-Legislative Input ....................................................................................... 17 The Consultation Process ........................................................................................................................... 18 Commission Consultations ......................................................................................................................... 19 Irish Submissions 2013 ............................................................................................................................... 20 Key Findings and Summary of Recommendations .................................................................................... 24 Chapter Two – European Parliament ....................................................................................... 25 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 26 Methodology .............................................................................................................................................. 29 Political Groupings ..................................................................................................................................... 30 Roles within the Parliament ....................................................................................................................... 34 The European Parliament .......................................................................................................................... 35 Plenary Sessions ......................................................................................................................................... 35 Committees of the European Parliament .................................................................................................. 36 Representation on Parliamentary Delegations .......................................................................................... 42 Key Findings ............................................................................................................................................... 44 Chapter Three – European Council & Councils of the EU ...................................................... 45 Attendance at Council ................................................................................................................................ 51 Comparison with Ministerial Attendance Rates of Other EU Countries .................................................... 54 Key Findings ............................................................................................................................................... 58 Chapter Four – Oireachtas Engagement ................................................................................ 59 Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs ........................................................................... 60 Pre-Council Briefings .................................................................................................................................. 64 Key Findings ............................................................................................................................................... 69 Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................. 70 European Movement Ireland 2 Accountability Report 2013 Chairperson’s Welcome As Chairperson of European Movement Ireland, it gives me great pleasure to introduce European Movement Ireland's Accountability Report 2013. Founded in 1954, European Movement Ireland is an independent, not-for-profit, membership- based organisation working to develop the connection between Ireland and Europe. One of the organisation’s principle aims is to encourage and facilitate robust and informed debate on European matters in Ireland, and I am very confident that the publication of this Report serves to do just that. This year’s Accountability Report is the fourth the organisation has published since the inaugural Accountability Report 2010, and it represents much more than just the publication of a new document. The Accountability Report has long been and continues to be the flagship campaign of EM Ireland's advocacy work and the cornerstone of the organisation’s efforts to provide an independent, non- governmental voice on European issues in Ireland. This year’s Report is an excellent example of the vital role that European Movement Ireland plays as an organisation committed to ensuring accountability, transparency and engagement at all levels of Ireland’s relationship with Europe. As Chairperson of EM Ireland as we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the organisation’s foundation in 1954, I am proud to present the work of European Movement Ireland as we continue to communicate the impact and development of Ireland’s EU membership. In light of this year’s European Parliament elections, I believe the publication of this Report is a timely analysis of our multifaceted political engagement with Europe. The compilation of this 2013 Report would not be possible without the significant work and effort of the many people associated with this project. On behalf of the EM Ireland Board, I would like to pay special tribute to, and thank, all those whose input into this important project has enabled its launch and publication. Maurice Pratt Chairperson 3 European Movement Ireland Accountability Report 2013 Executive Director’s Foreword The publication of European Movement Ireland’s Accountability Report 2013 represents the culmination of almost 18 months of work by the EM Ireland team and is the annual highlight of our on-going advocacy programme. Its publication is both timely and appropriate as 2014 marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of European Movement Ireland. Our Accountability Report is a living, evolving document, which has grown and developed significantly since the publication of the first Accountability Report 2010. Now in its fourth edition, we remain committed to ensuring the highest standards of thorough and independent analysis as we review and evaluate Ireland’s relationship with the EU. Over the past four years, we have grown and improved the Report by incorporating feedback and comments received from readers, members and stakeholders, and continue to do so. Building on the previous three editions, in this year’s Report we have utilised our growing database of statistics to expand on the Report’s contents by providing a comparative analysis of Ireland’s performance in Europe over four years. The findings of the Accountability Report 2013 continue to indicate real opportunities for enhanced engagement between Ireland and Europe at many levels. We in European Movement Ireland hope that its publication will contribute to developing and improving Ireland’s relationship with Europe and its Institutions. This Report would not have been possible without the contribution and efforts of a significant number of people. I would like to thank the European Movement Ireland Board and Advisory Council and our many stagiaires for their knowledge and effort in contributing to the compilation of our fourth Accountability Report. Special tribute must also be paid to the European Movement Ireland team, in particular Neale Richmond and Ruth McCourt, for bringing the 2013 Report to fruition. In addition, I would like to express my gratitude to readers of the Report who have provided us with important feedback and suggestions for ways in which we can enhance and develop the Report even further. In keeping with our practice of previous years, this Report is also available to download from our website, www.europeanmovement.ie. As one of our flagship projects, European Movement Ireland is always looking for ways to improve and expand our Accountability Report. To that end, I would welcome any comments or feedback you may have on the findings and analysis contained in this year’s Report as we continue to work to promote accountability, transparency and engagement at all levels of Ireland’s relationship with the EU. Noelle O Connell Executive Director European Movement Ireland 4 Accountability Report 2013 EM Ireland Values