National Forum on Europe
Encyclopedia
The National Forum on Europe was established by Taoiseach
Bertie Ahern
, TD
, in the aftermath of the rejection of the Treaty of Nice
by the Irish people in 2001. It exists to provide a forum for debate between senior politicians in Ireland
and with informed observers from abroad, to promote wider public participation, and to inform the Irish public in a non-partisan and neutral manner about developments in the European Union
.
Representatives of political parties in Ireland and figures from the European Parliament addressed the forum, such as Peter Sutherland, Pat Cox, Jens Peter Bonde MEP, and David Byrne (former Commissioner).
A number of organisations made presentations and submissions, such as the Irish Farmers Association, National Platform
, People's Movement
, Institute for European Affairs, Peace and Neutrality Alliance
, Social Democratic and Labour Party
(SDLP), Irish Business and Employers Confederation
(IBEC), Union representatives, and a the representatives of the main churches in Ireland. The forum held sessions in Dublin Castle
, but also a number of events and meetings around the country.
RTE Broadcaster Mr Derek Davis
was the host at one of the sessions for the forum in Kilmainham.
, the decision was controversial and condemned by a variety of groups, particularly those who campaigned against the Lisbon treaty, such as the Peoples Movement, The Workers Party
, and the European Anti Poverty Network
Spokesperson for he pro-Lisbon Treaty Labour Party
, Joe Costello, also condemned the closure of the forum,
as did the his party colleague Labour Party MEP Proinsias de Rossa.
Taoiseach
The Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas , and must, in order to remain in office, retain the support of a majority in the Dáil.The current Taoiseach is...
Bertie Ahern
Bertie Ahern
Patrick Bartholomew "Bertie" Ahern is a former Irish politician who served as Taoiseach of Ireland from 26 June 1997 to 7 May 2008....
, TD
Teachta Dála
A Teachta Dála , usually abbreviated as TD in English, is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas . It is the equivalent of terms such as "Member of Parliament" or "deputy" used in other states. The official translation of the term is "Deputy to the Dáil", though a more literal...
, in the aftermath of the rejection of the Treaty of Nice
Treaty of Nice
The Treaty of Nice was signed by European leaders on 26 February 2001 and came into force on 1 February 2003. It amended the Maastricht Treaty and the Treaty of Rome...
by the Irish people in 2001. It exists to provide a forum for debate between senior politicians in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
and with informed observers from abroad, to promote wider public participation, and to inform the Irish public in a non-partisan and neutral manner about developments in the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
.
Working of the Forum
The operation of the Forum was based on the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation (FPR), with an independent secretariat headed by the Assistant Secretary from the Department of the Taoiseach, and membership consisted of representatives from the Oireachtas and nominees based on the 1997 general election.Representatives of political parties in Ireland and figures from the European Parliament addressed the forum, such as Peter Sutherland, Pat Cox, Jens Peter Bonde MEP, and David Byrne (former Commissioner).
A number of organisations made presentations and submissions, such as the Irish Farmers Association, National Platform
National Platform
The National Platform for EU Research and Information Centre shortened to National Platform is an Irish Eurosceptic lobby group which campaigns against greater European Union integration, and against a Federal superstate...
, People's Movement
People's Movement (Ireland)
People's Movement is an Irish pressure group which campaigns on a number of issues such as protecting Irish neutrality and against greater European Union integration...
, Institute for European Affairs, Peace and Neutrality Alliance
Peace and Neutrality Alliance
Peace and Neutrality Alliance is an Irish anti-war grouping and a lobby group which campaigns to protect Irish neutrality. It was involved in a number of campaigns such as those against the Iraq war, against the use of Shannon Airport by the US military, and against the Republic of Ireland...
, Social Democratic and Labour Party
Social Democratic and Labour Party
The Social Democratic and Labour Party is a social-democratic, Irish nationalist political party in Northern Ireland. Its basic party platform advocates Irish reunification, and the further devolution of powers while Northern Ireland remains part of the United Kingdom...
(SDLP), Irish Business and Employers Confederation
Irish Business and Employers Confederation
The Irish Business and Employers Confederation is Ireland's largest business and employers lobbying organisation. It represents the interests of over 7500 organisations of all sizes, regions and industry sectors...
(IBEC), Union representatives, and a the representatives of the main churches in Ireland. The forum held sessions in Dublin Castle
Dublin Castle
Dublin Castle off Dame Street, Dublin, Ireland, was until 1922 the fortified seat of British rule in Ireland, and is now a major Irish government complex. Most of it dates from the 18th century, though a castle has stood on the site since the days of King John, the first Lord of Ireland...
, but also a number of events and meetings around the country.
RTE Broadcaster Mr Derek Davis
Derek Davis
Derek Orlando Davis is an Irish broadcaster. On television, he has co-hosted Live at 3, presented Out of the Blue and won Celebrity Bainisteoir.-Early life:...
was the host at one of the sessions for the forum in Kilmainham.
EU Constitution
The forum held discussions on the EU Constitution, and debates around Ireland, it also hosted events where politicians spoke in favour the Constitution. After the rejection by the people of France and the Netherlands, the forum or government did not support a referendum on the EU Constitution.Lisbon Treaty
The Forum was used in the build up to the Lisbon Treaty and after the treaty's rejection, in it was used as a platform for discussion on the treaty.Closure of the Forum
In April 2009 the forum was closed by an taoiseach Brian CowenBrian Cowen
Brian Cowen is a former Irish politician who served as Taoiseach of Ireland from 7 May 2008 to 9 March 2011. He was head of a coalition government led by Fianna Fáil which until 23 January 2011 had the support of the Green Party and independent TDs.Cowen was also leader of Fianna Fáil from 7 May...
, the decision was controversial and condemned by a variety of groups, particularly those who campaigned against the Lisbon treaty, such as the Peoples Movement, The Workers Party
, and the European Anti Poverty Network
Spokesperson for he pro-Lisbon Treaty Labour Party
Labour Party (Ireland)
The Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in the Republic of Ireland. The Labour Party was founded in 1912 in Clonmel, County Tipperary, by James Connolly, James Larkin and William X. O'Brien as the political wing of the Irish Trade Union Congress. Unlike the other main Irish...
, Joe Costello, also condemned the closure of the forum,
as did the his party colleague Labour Party MEP Proinsias de Rossa.