HOUSES OF THE OIREACHTAS
AND
THE EUROPEAN UNION

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The European Economic Community came into existence in 1957 and was the result of a sustained effort to create a sense of common European purpose. The first six Member States were Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Other Member States subsequently joined - Ireland, the United Kingdom and Denmark in 1973, Greece in 1981, Spain and Portugal in 1986 and Austria, Finland and Sweden on 1st January 1995.

In 1972 the Irish people agreed to membership and in later years to the subsequent treaties involving major steps towards the goal of Union. Over the years, the Community has undergone many changes while evolving to meet the vision of its originators. The Single European Act of 1987 initiated the removal of the remaining barriers to economic activity between Member States. The Single Market was completed on 1st January, 1993.The European Union was established in November, 1993 on the entry into force of the Treaty on the European Union (The Maastricht Treaty). This Treaty conferred important new powers on the European Parliament including co-decision making on legislation.

Subject to the obligations of Community membership, the sole and exclusive power of making laws is vested in the Oireachtas. In relation to matters within the EU Treaties, the institutions of the Communities are empowered to enact legislation either binding individual citizens directly or member States only. EU Directives can be incorporated into national law either through the passage of a Bill by the national Parliament or by Ministers exercising their delegated legislative powers. Furthermore, no provision of the Constitution can invalidate laws enacted, acts done or measures adopted by the State necessitated by membership.

The principal institutions of the European Union are:

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
Ireland has 15 members out of a total of 626 members

COMMISSION
Ireland nominates one of 20 Commissioners

COUNCIL OF MINISTERS
Normally ministers of the 15 national governments; participation in Council meetings varies according to the matters under discussion - agriculture being dealt with by agriculture ministers. The Heads of Government or State and the President of the Commission meet at least twice a year in the European Council.

COURTS OF JUSTICE AND FIRST INSTANCE

COURT OF AUDITORS

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE

A Conference of Presidents (Speakers) of National Parliaments of the Member States of the European Union and the European Parliament and meetings of the European Affairs committees of each such Parliament ( collectively known as COSAC) constitute the structural relationships among Parliaments of Member States and between them and the European Parliament. The Houses of the Oireachtas have indirect links such as the Government's participation in the Council of Ministers, its right to nominate persons to be a Commissioner, Judge or Auditor of the respective Community institutions and its constitutional responsibility to Dáil Éireann. Moreover, the Houses, by exercising their constitutional legislative role and their own procedures, keep themselves informed on Community matters in a number of important ways:

• each House can debate the reports of the Joint Committee on European Affairs which was established to consider policy and legislative issues arising from Ireland's membership of the European Communities and its adherence to the Treaty on European Union
• the examination of proposals for Irish legislation arising out of the obligations of membership
• the annulment of Statutory Instruments made under the European Communities Acts
• debating the six-monthly reports published by the Department of Foreign Affairs on Developments in the European Union
• using the procedures of each House to debate EU affairs
• examination of Government policy and administration arising out of obligations of EU membership
• addressing Parliamentary Questions to Government Ministers in Dáil Éireann.

In relation to the Council of Ministers, each Member State holds the Council Presidency for six months. The Member State holding the Presidency sets itself specific priorities to be achieved during its term of office. As the Presidency is responsible for drawing up the agenda for all Council meetings held during its six-monthly term, it provides a major opportunity for the Government to shape Community policy. The presidency also acts as mediator when there is disagreement between Member States.

The Taoiseach of the day also keeps the Houses informed of developments arising out of meetings of Heads of State/Government at EU Summits. Moreover, the terms of reference of the Joint Committee on European Affairs allow Irish MEPs (including Northern Ireland MEPs) to attend and participate at their meetings (including sub-committees) but they do not have voting rights. The MEPs of other Member States may, by invitation, participate at particular meetings under similar conditions.