AQW 8530/08 Written question to the First Minister and deputy First Minister
To ask the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline the level and nature of representation of Northern Ireland within the various structures of the European Union, in addition to the 3 MEPs; and the level of engagement of Ministers of the Executive with the European Union in the last 6 months.
Asked by Naomi Long MLA on 24 June 2008
- Answered
- Written
- Tabled
- 24 June 2008
- Answer due by
- 8 July 2008
- Answered
- 8 July 200814 days after tabling
- Department
- The Executive Office
- Priority question
- No
Answer
Northern Ireland's representation, excluding MEPs, within the European Union is:
| European Body | Northern Ireland Representatives |
| Committee of the Regions | Councillor Edwin Poots MLA Councillor Lord Morrow MLA Councillor Sue Ramsey MLA* Councillor Bernice Swift |
| European Economic and Social Committee | Jane Morrice Michael Smyth |
* Sue Ramsey has been nominated to replace Conor Murphy MP, MLA
The level of engagement of Executive Ministers with the European Union over the last six months is:
| Date | Details |
| 10 January | Minister Gildernew met with Commissioner Fischer Boel and President Barroso in Brussels. |
| 14 March | Minister Gildernew met with Commissioner Fischer Boel in Brussels. |
| 1 April | Minister Gildernew met with Commissioner Joe Borg in Brussels. |
| 23 June | Minister Gildernew attended an Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting in Luxembourg and met with Commissioner Vassilou. |
| 24 January | Minister Dodds attended a reception to promote Aerospace NI in Brussels. |
| 14 April | Minister Robinson and Commissioner Hübner launched the 2007-13 European Regional Development Fund Programmes in Belfast. |
| 23 April | Minister Empey addressed the European Commission's Employment and Social Policy Seminar in Belfast. |
| 5 June | Minister Empey delivered the opening address at the 5th Annual Anti-Discrimination Conference “Communicating Equality and Non-Discrimination in the EU” in Belfast. |
| 9/10 January | First Minister and deputy First Minister met with President Barroso in Brussels to discuss the Commission's Northern Ireland Task Force. The visit also included meetings with Commissioners Hübner and Fischer Boel. |
| 14 April | Commissioner Hübner formally launched the Northern Ireland Report of the Task Force in Belfast with the First Minister and deputy First Minister. |
| 28 April | The First Minister and deputy First Minister in conjunction with the European Economic and Social Committee paid tribute to the PEACE Programme founders in the University of Ulster, Jordanstown. This event preceded an evidence gathering session by the EESC for an ‘own initiative opinion' on the PEACE Programmes. |
In addition, the Junior Ministers within OFMDFM have engaged with the European Union as follows:
| 9/10 January | Both Junior Ministers accompanied the First Minister and deputy First Minister when meeting President Barroso and Commissioners Hübner and Fischer Boel in Brussels. |
| 14 March | Junior Minister Donaldson accompanied Minister Gildernew when meeting Commissioner Fischer Boel in Brussels. |
| 2 April | Both Junior Ministers met with Commissioner Hübner in advance of the publication of the Barosso Taskforce report |
| 14 April | Both Junior Ministers attended the formal launch of the Northern Ireland Report of the Task Force in Belfast with Commissioner Hübner. |