1. The EU, its Parliament and the fight against poverty
Chairperson: Ann Loftus, Chairperson of EAPN Ireland
Keynote Speaker: Sean Kelly, MEP
EAPN Ireland speaker: Robin Hanan, Director
Regional workshops
April/May 2017
The EU, its Parliament and the
fight against poverty r
With support from the European Parliament
The EU, it's Parlaiment and the fight against poverty - May 2017

2. WELCOME! Regional workshops April/May 2017
The EU, its Parliament and the fight against poverty r
With support from the European Parliament
The EU, it's Parlaiment and the fight against poverty - May 2017

3. Understanding and Influencing EU Decision Making
Regional workshops
April/May 2017
The EU, its Parliament and the fight against poverty r
With support from the European Parliament
The EU, it's Parlaiment and the fight against poverty - May 2017

4. 1 - EU Decision making Commission proposes and monitors EU policy
Council and Parliament jointly make policy
Council still has most power
European Commission
European Parliament
European Council
The EU, it's Parlaiment and the fight against poverty - May 2017

5. 32 Directorates General and 15 Services (staff)
Commission
Represents the interests of the EU
One Commissioner is appointed by each Member State every 5 years – has to be approved by EU Parliament – Current Commission
Proposes, oversees implementation enforces EU policy . ‘Guardians of the Treaties’
President
28 Commissioners
32 Directorates General and 15 Services (staff)
Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission
Phil Hogan, Ireland,
European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development

6. Remember: It is our Government Representatives
Council of the EU
Represents interests of Member States Governments
Main decision making body in EU but shares legislation role in most areas with the Parliament
Presidency rotates every 6 months – (Ireland last in 2013)
President of European Council – Donald Tusk
European Council Council of Ministers
(Heads of State) (10 different formations of Ministers)
- COREPER Working Groups
(Permanent Representatives-
Embassies to EU)
Remember: It is our Government Representatives 28

7. Parliament Roles How it Works
Directly elected by and represents the citizens of the EU
Increasing legislative or decision making power
Elected for 5 years. Currently 751 Members (Ireland 11)
President of the EP - Antonio Tajani
First Vice-President – Mairead McGuinness
Roles
Legislation
Supervision of EU institutions
Approve, reject or sack the Commission
Looks at petitions from citizens and
sets up committees of inquiry
Opinion on agenda for Council meetings
EU Budget
How it Works
Political Groups (7 plus non-attached members)
20 Committees (Rapporteur and Shadow Rapporteurs)
Mainly based in Brussels but the Plenary for voting on legislation and reports (Usually one week per month in Strasbourg, France)
Inter-groups e.g. Extreme Poverty and Human Rights
Committee
Political Group

8. Current MEPs 2014-2019 DUBLIN Lynn Boylan (SF) Nessa Childers (Ind.)
Brian Hayes (FG)
MIDLANDS NORTH-WEST
Matt Carthy (SF)
Luke Ming Flanagan (Ind.)
Marian Harkin (Ind.)
Mairead McGuinness (FG)
SOUTH
Deirdre Clune (FG)
Brian Crowley (FF)
Sean Kelly (FG)
Liadh Ni Riada (SF)

9. Influencing the Parliament
Legislation
Services Directive – 2006
Got most public services excluded from Directive.
Structural Funds :
25% of funds for ESF and 20% of ESF for Social Inclusion
European Parliament Reports and Resolutions
Report on the role of the Troika
European Parliament Resolution on an EU homelessness strategy – 2013
European Parliament Report on the European Pillar of Social Rights 2017

10. European NGOs Most have members in Ireland
European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN)
AGE – (European Network of older persons organisations)
All Together in Dignity (ATD) Fourth World
Eurochild
European Disability Federation (EDF)
European Network Against Racism (ENAR)
European Women’s Lobby (EWL)
FEANTSA – (European Network of homeless person’s organisations)
Most have members in Ireland
Most are members of Social Platform (EU network)

11. 2. Influencing EU legislation
Commission - During the consultation phase on proposal (public consultation, contacting official) Engaging staff in Ireland including the European Semester Officers
Council - Lobbying Civil Servants on Committees and Working Groups, relevant Minister and Taoiseach.
3. Parliament (MEPs)
In Committee
- Drafting – MEPs on the Committee (assistants, Rapporteur and Shadow Rapporteurs)
- Voting - Committee members.
In Plenary
- Making Amendments –must be tabled by Political Group or 40 MEPs
- Voting – Lobby all MEPs (Political Groups)