Cillian Donnelly

Stories from Cillian Donnelly

Is ACTA getting away from the point?
Cillian Donnelly
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) runs the risk of “getting away” from its primary aim, one MEP has warned.
“This is firstly an international trade issue”, says UK MEP Syed Kamall, “but this has been jumped on by others, and taken it away from this”.
A “symbolic case” for Parliament
Cillian Donnelly
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
The European Parliament continues to express it opposition to the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) as six political groups join together to press the Commission to adjust its stance.
“No one from the Parliament will vote for this if no access to documents is given”, Green MEP Carl Schlyter, referring to one of the key sticking points, told EU Reporter before the issue was debated in plenary.
ACTA: Another SWIFT?
Cillian Donnelly
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Members of the European Parliament are threatening that the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) currently being negotiated between the EU and 12 other countries, including the US, will “become another SWIFT” if concerns over transparency are not satisfied.
What limits for free speech in the European Parliament?
Cillian Donnelly
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Eurosceptic MEP Nigel Farage is remaining defiant following a meeting with European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek during which he was asked to apologise for remarks made in the Plenary Chamber last week.
But whatever the fallout from this latest development, Farage has at the very least raised a serious question for his enemies and allies alike to ponder: what are the limits of free speech in a parliamentary chamber?
Pets report could determine EU decision-making process
Cillian Donnelly
Monday, February 22, 2010
A seemingly innocuous report on the transportation of domestic animals due to be taken to trialogue discussions in Brussels this week (Tuesday) could set a precedent for future legislative procedures to be determined jointly by the European Parliament and Council.
The report, on the “animal health requirements applicable to the non-commercial movement of pet animals” has so-far been debated in the Parliament’s Environment Committee without much contentious debate.
Biofuels policy continues to damage developing world
Cillian Donnelly
Monday, February 15, 2010
The developing world will continue to face serious social and environmental degradation from EU biofuel policy if major changes are not enacted, a new report has warned.
According to the report, EU consumption of biofuels is set to increase fourfold by 2020, with the Union unable to meet its production needs, leading to around two-thirds of biofuels being imported from the developing world.
This will leas to mass hunger and increases in food prices.
All Not Well In New Eurosceptic Alliance
Cillian Donnelly
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
The European Parliament Eurosceptic group, European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), have succeeded in receiving EU funding for a pan-European political party, but not all of their MEPs have endorsed this new development.
The ECR currently has 54 members, only 44 of which have pledged their credentials to the formation of the new European-wide party, the Alliance of Conservatives and Reformists (AECR).
"Battle lines" are drawn over Tory EU stance
Cillian Donnelly
Thursday, November 5, 2009

 

Pro- and anti- EU factions with the UK Conservative are set to do "battle" over the future European direction of the party following the resignation of two Eurosceptic MEPs from their front bench positions.
Telecoms: the next civil liberties platform?
Cillian Donnelly
Thursday, November 5, 2009

Following the compromise reached with the Council on the Telecoms Package, the emphasis in the debate is now shifting from consumer to civil rights following the Parliament gaining new powers under the Lisbon Treaty.

The compromise, which is set to pave the way for a single telecoms market, saw bitter disagreements emerge between all parties.
No “bust up” over Europe says Cameron
Cillian Donnelly
Thursday, November 5, 2009

Conservative leader David Cameron has admitted that he now cannot make the Lisbon Treaty, nor its provisions “magically disappear”, but has vowed to deliver a return of certain powers to the UK from Brussels.

His comments came after the Czech President Vaclav Klaus signed into law the Treaty, meaning all 27 member states have now done so. Cameron had previously said he would offer the British public a referendum on the Treaty if it was not ratified by the time his party came to power.

Blair's presidency chances slipping
Cillian Donnelly
Friday, October 30, 2009

Tony Blair's chances of becoming the first permanent president of the European Council appear to have been reduced significantly after European leaders met in Brussels at the European summit.
Lobby register still faced with same problems
Cillian Donnelly
Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Over one year since it was launched, the European Transparency Initiative (the EU's register of interests) continues to face problems over its ability to deal coherently with law firms and think tanks.
Political “credibility” of EU at stake over climate policy
Cillian Donnelly
Tuesday, October 27, 2009

The centre-right in Europe face “a moment of truth” in relation to climate policy ahead of this week's Council summit, according to environmental critics.
Halonen to challenge Blair?
Cillian Donnelly
Monday, October 26, 2009

 

As EU heads of state prepare to gather in Brussels this week and contemplate the Union's new structures post-Lisbon, the question of who exactly will take up the new position of President of the Council continues to be the source of much speculation.

Most of that speculation has thus far centred on former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, a man seemingly with as many enemies as friends, and who has been the front runner for quite some time.

A difficult choice: roads or government?
Cillian Donnelly
Friday, October 23, 2009

The “battle for hearts and minds” may be a priority for EU development policy, but it may find itself losing out to both the US and China as both powers compete to challenge Europe’s dominant position as the world’s biggest overseas aid donor.
A rethink for development policy?
Cillian Donnelly
Thursday, October 22, 2009

Global governments, including those of the EU, must “rethink development policy in its entirety” if any real change in the developing world is going to come about in the future.

According to Rajendra Pachauri, 2007 Nobel Laureate and Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) global powers “cannot continue on current development policies as we now understand them” if any real change is to come about for those currently living in extreme poverty.
European Parliament to create new media group
Cillian Donnelly
Wednesday, October 7, 2009

The new intergroup, which will consist of MEPs from across all political groupings, will also invite journalists to participate in debates concerning the future of the press and media.

This comes after EPP chairman Joseph Daul stated that Brussels is not the right place to “settle scores” on the question of press freedom in individual Member States.
EU communication policy still not dead despite rumours, says Commission
Cillian Donnelly
Tuesday, October 6, 2009

The outgoing Commissioner for Communications, Margot Wallstrom, has given strong hints that aspects of her current brief will be integrated into the new Commissioner for Citizenship portfolio when the new Commission convenes.

Russia and US “big winners” in Turkey-Armenia patch-up
Cillian Donnelly
Monday, September 28, 2009

The EU will “only reinforce Russian leverage over Europe” if it supports the renewed diplomatic efforts between Turkey and Armenia, say rights organisations.

“Many people in Armenia are very, very sceptical about this”, says Laurent Leylekian of the European Armenian Federation, of the recent moves which will see Turkey and Armenia restart diplomatic relations on October 10.
What next for Martin Schulz?
Cillian Donnelly
Thursday, September 17, 2009

Following the reappointment of Jose Manuel Barroso as European Commission President this week, speculation continues as to who will be appointed to the new college, with particular attention being placed on the much favoured Vice President role with joint responsibility for foreign affairs within the Council.