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Committee of the Regions Irish Delegation Members of the Irish Delegation Irish Delegation Secretariat |
 The Committee of the Regions in Plenary Session |
I - The Committee of the Regions
The Committee of the Regions (CoR) represents local and regional government in the EU policy
formation and decision-making processes. The Committee is an advisory body established in
1994 to ensure that the public authorities closest to the citizen, in Ireland, the local and regional
authorities, are consulted on European Union policies of direct interest to them.
Members of the CoR provide the EU with the views and experiences of the local and regional
levels, as these authorities are often the implementing bodies for EU legislation. Similarly,
CoR members are in a better position to inform their authorities and constituents about EU
developments and the 'European process'.
The Committee is composed of 344 members representing the local and regional tiers of
government of the 27 Member States. These full members are backed by an equal number of
alternates (substitutes). Ireland has 9 full members and 9 alternate members.
How the Committee of the Regions Operates
The Committee of the Regions normally makes its views known in the form of written opinions
or resolutions. The CoR receives requests for its opinion from the Commission, Council and the
European Parliament on communications and proposals for legislation.
| The policy areas of mandatory consultation of the CoR are: | |
| Economic and Social Cohesion Trans-European Networks Public Health Education, Culture and Youth Energy |
Environment Social Policy Employment Transport Training |
The other EU institutions may also consult the Committee of the Regions in other policy areas
such as Agriculture or Spatial Planning and the CoR has the power to comment on any subject on
its own initiative.
When the CoR decides to issue an opinion a rapporteur is appointed to prepare the opinion
on behalf of the Committee. The draft opinion is discussed and amended at the Commission (or
Committee) stage by members and the draft is then sent to the plenary session, attended by the full
CoR membership, where it may be amended further and adopted.
Once adopted, opinions are directed to the EU institutions and to all other relevant parties. The
Council and / or Parliament may then amend the proposed legislation to take account of the CoR
opinion.
The Committee also adopts resolutions on topics of current political import which are also directed
to the EU's decision-makers and prepares studies on general issues of interest to sub-national
government in the European Union.
CoR Role Continues to Develop
Since its establishment in 1994, the CoR has been expanding its advisory role, seeking to influence policy through other channels. The CoR produces studies relevant to the local and regional level and has set up policy monitoring initiatives such as the Lisbon Monitoring Network, the Subsidiarity Monitoring Network and the EGTC (European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation) network - a legal instrument designed to facilitate and promote cross-border and transnational cooperation. In conjunction with DG Regio it also organises the Open Days events held in Brussels every October. The Irish Delegation facilitates the participation of Irish local and regional authorities in these networks and events.
Within Brussels, the CoR maintains linkages with the
other EU institutions – the European Commission, the European Parliament,
the Economic & Social Committee as well as the Council and Presidency of the
European Council. Commissioners, Presidency Ministers and MEP’s regularly
attend CoR meetings and there is a cross-fertilisation of influence between
the institutions on policy issues.
Role of the CoR in EU decision-making process: a simplified model
Membership of the Committee of the Regions
Members with an equal number of alternates, are appointed by the Council for a five-year
term on the basis of nominations from Member States. Members are completely
independent in the performance of their duties and are not bound by any
mandatory instructions. Under the terms of the Treaties, CoR members must
be members of a local or regional authority or be politically accountable to an elected assembly. The Treaties
provide for CoR membership of up to 350 members.
The Structure of the Committee of the Regions
The Bureau is the executive body of the CoR. The Bureau establishes and monitors the CoR policy programme
and it also co-ordinates the work of the Plenary Assembly and the Commissions.
The Committee meets in Plenary Assembly, normally 5 times a year to discuss and adopt opinions, reports
and resolutions. The Plenary Assembly elects the President, 1st Vice-President and other Bureau members and
also establishes the Commissions.
| The detailed work of the CoR is carried out in six Commissions |
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| Territorial Cohesion Policy (COTER) |
Economic and Social Cohesion, Structural Funds, Transport, Trans-European Networks, Urban Policy. |
| Economic and Social Policy (ECOS) | Enterprise and the Internal Market, Innovation, Employment Policy, Social Policy, Equal Opportunities. |
| Environment, Research & Energy (ENVE) | Climate change, Environment, Waste Management and
Natural Resources, Energy |
| Natural Resources (NAT) | Agriculture, Food Production, Fisheries and Maritime
Issues, Forestry, Biodiversity, Health and Tourism |
| Education, Youth, Culture and Health (EDUC) | Education, Training, Youth Culture, Sports, the
Information Society, Public Health, Consumer Protection |
| Citizenship, Governance, Institutional and External Affairs (CIVEX) | Area of Freedom, Security and Justice, Active
Citizenship, Devolution and Governance, Enlargement, Immigration,
Decentralised Cooperation. |
The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government nominates the nine Irish members and nine alternates on behalf of the Government. Nominations take account of geographical, gender and political considerations, with all regional authorities represented. All Irish members are elected members of their local authority and automatically become members of their regional authority.
Delegation Newsletter
Please find links following to the most recent copies of 'Delegation
Diary', the newsletter of the Irish Delegation:
Delegation Diary No.
10
Delegation Diary No. 9
Delegation Diary No. 8
Delegation Diary No. 7
Delegation Diary No. 6
| Delegation Members 2010 - 2015 | ||
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Cllr.
Patrick McGowan |
Contact |
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Cllr.
Gerry Breen |
Contact |
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Cllr. Constance
Hanniffy |
Contact Doon, Ballinahoun, Co. Westmeath Tel (090) 643 0106 Fax (090) 643 0057 GSM (087) 256 0876 email connieh@iol.ie |
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Cllr. Des Hurley Carlow County Council South East Regional Authority Commissions ECOS and EDUC PES Group |
Contact email dhurley@carlowcoco.ie |
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Cllr.
Declan McDonnell Galway City Council West Regional Authority Commissions ENVE and EDUC ALDE Group |
Contact 4 Tara Grove, Wellpark, Galway Fax (091) 764 783 GSM (086) 243 5022 email declanpmcdonnell@eircom.net |
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Cllr. Brian Meaney Clare County Council Mid-West Regional Authority Commissions ENVE and COTER EA Group |
Contact Darragh, Ennis, Co. Clare GSM (087) 215 2215 email datldo@eircom.net |
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Cllr. John Sheahan Limerick County Council Mid West Regional Authority Commissions ENVE and NAT EPP Group |
Contact Ballyguiltenane, Glin, Co. Limerick Tel (068) 34662 GSM (087) 207 9268 email jsheahan@limerickcoco.ie |
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Cllr. Fiona
O' Loughlin Kildare County Council Mid-East Regional Authority Commissions EDUC and CIVEX ALDE Group |
Contact Cappanairgid, 63 Great Southern, Newbridge, Co. Kildare Tel (045) 436 792 Fax (045) 435 944 GSM (087) 2345 160 email fionaolough@eircom.net |
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Cllr. Paul O’Donoghue |
Contact Castlequin, Caherciveen, Co. Kerry Tel (066) 976 1186 Fax (066) 976 1847 GSM (086) 247 4574 email jpodonoghuek@eircom.net |
| Alternate Delegation Members 2010 - 2015 | ||
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Cllr. Maria Byrne Limerick City Council EPP Group |
Contact Mannixville, O'Connell Avenue, Limerick Tel (061) 313 778 GSM (086) 8300 951 email mbyrne@cllr.limerickcity.ie |
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Cllr. Mary Freehill Dublin City Council Dublin Regional Authority PES Group |
Contact 77 Grove Road, Rathmines, Dublin 6 Tel (01) 496 4777 GSM (086) 812 6378 email freehill@eircom.net |
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Cllr. John Lahart South Dublin County Council ALDE Group |
Contact 6 Orlagh Grange, Scholarstown Road, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16 Tel (01) 493 9608 GSM (087) 261 5529 email jlahart@sdublincoco.ie |
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Cllr. Michael McGreal Roscommon County Council West Regional Authority EPP Group |
Contact Carrick, Ballinlough, Co. Roscommon Tel (094) 96 40079 GSM (087) 967 9507 email mcgrealm@eircom.net |
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Cllr. Niall McNelis Galway City Council West Regional Authority PES Group |
Contact 14 White Oaks, Clybaun Road Knocknacarra, Galway Tel (091) 534494 GSM (087) 619 7300 email mcnelis@votelabour.ie |
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Cllr. John Pender Carlow County Council ALDE Group |
Contact Grangeview, Friarstown, Carlow Tel (059) 916 3760 GSM (086) 853 8696 email jpender@carlowcoco.ie |
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Cllr. Mary Shields Cork City Council South West Regional Authority ALDE Group |
Contact 48 Halldene Avenue, Bishopstown, Cork Tel (021) 4544 486 GSM (086) 818 9908 email mshields@corkcity.ie |
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Cllr. Barney Steele Longford County Council ALDE Group |
Contact Moigh, Ballymahon, Co. Longford Tel (090) 64 32407 GSM (087) 279 2153 email barneysteele@longfordcoco.ie |
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Cllr.
Catherine Yore Meath County Council EPP Group |
Contact The Rock, Rathendrick, Carnaross, Kells, Co. Meath Tel (046) 924 5047 GSM (086) 391 9003 |
III - The Irish Delegation Secretariat
The Dublin Regional Authority (DRA) was nominated by the Department of the Environment and Local Government to act as secretariat to the Irish Delegation. The secretariat has also established an office in Brussels to provide additional ‘on-the-spot’ support to Irish members and to promote Irish regions within the EU institutions. Ms. Patricia Potter, Director of the DRA, is Secretary to the Delegation, Mr. John Crowley is the Dublin based support officer and Mr. Robert Collins is the Brussels based officer.
Role of the Secretariat
Designating the Dublin Regional Authority as secretariat to the Irish Delegation has meant that it has become
the main contact point for the CoR in Ireland. It has five main functions:
- Provide members with information and briefings
- Assist members in drafting opinions and making amendments
- Facilitate and service Irish Delegation meetings
- Liaise with the CoR in Brussels, Government Departments and national organisations
- Promote and raise the profile of the Delegation nationally
Irish Regions Office
As well as briefing Irish members of the Committee of the Regions, the office in Brussels is
developing its role to enhance the presence of the Irish regions and their local authorities within the European
Union.
The objectives of the Irish Regions Office are to:
- Monitor EU policies and programmes relevant to Irish sub-national government
- Inform and advise the regional level on policy and legislative developments
- Serve as a contact point for Irish regions and their local authorities in Brussels
- Enhance co-operation with other regions and identifying funding opportunities
Visit the Irish Regions Office Website at www.iro.ie
Further Information
For any further information on the Irish delegation and the Committee of the Regions contact the delegation
secretariat or visit the Committee of the Regions website at
www.cor.europa.eu
The Delegation secretariat is co-located in Dublin and Brussels. Dublin based secretariat - located in the Dublin Regional Authority (DRA) |
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Ms. Patricia Potter |
Mr. John Crowley |
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| Brussels based secretariat - located at the Irish Regions Office (IRO) |
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Mr. Robert Collins |
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