Forum on Europe to be scrapped

[David Cochrane]

The Government is to close down the National Forum on Europe despite the likelihood of a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty later this year.

The forum was established in 2001 to facilitate discussion on Ireland's membership of the European Union following a No vote in the Nice Treaty referendum.

In a letter to party leaders, Taoiseach Brian Cowen said there was no need for the forum in the light of the work of Oireachtas Committee on Ireland’s Future in the European Union.

Forum on Europe to be shut down - The Irish Times - Thu, Apr 09, 2009

[toxic avenger]

Good. Travelling hot-air circus, I doubt it changed a single mind.

[Bobert]

I quite liked the forum...

RIP

[Trampas]

A useless talking shop for those who are already in agreement, presided over by a humourless self-regarding chairman on auto-pilot. Good riddance.

[FrankSpeaks]

To tell you the truth I had forgotten it even existed. A forum like this is essential but it must have a much higher profile.

[expat girl]

is this the beginning of the quango cull??

If it involves cutting Government expense on needless bureaucracy, I support it.

And I doubt if any forthcoming information from this forum will actually change anyone's mind.

I'd predict a yes vote this time....we're panicking over the economy. This is probably the only factor that will sway anyone in the referendum, regardless of any hot air emanating from Government quangos.

[mccafferty cat]

So they're putting 82 year old Maurice Hayes out of a job?!?! Surely not! Everyone - meet you on Westland row in 20 minutes!!!!

Looks like poor Maurice will have to make do with the fat-cat fee he gets as a non-executive Director of IN&M - a company, and a board, beset by mismanagement, incompetence, and gross corporate negligence.

It kind of married well with the Forum on Europe job up to now

[David Cochrane]

Creighton Welcomes Closure of Forum on Europe


Fine Gael Spokesman on European Affairs, Lucinda Creighton TD has today (Thursday) welcomed the Government decision to close down the National Forum on Europe.

Deputy Creighton said that the Oireachtas is the appropriate forum for the debate of matters pertaining to European Affairs.

“I called for this action last summer and I am now pleased that the Taoiseach has taken up my suggestion.

“The Forum on Europe had degenerated into a talking-shop, dominated by the social partners. Most of the ‘representatives’ who participated in the Forum had no mandate and did not represent any clear constituency. The Forum had become a very, very expensive forum of hot air.

“The Government now has a wonderful opportunity to put the European agenda at the heart of debate in Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann where elected TDs and Senators can give it the type of priority it deserves. European Affairs can now be elevated to the national agenda, reflecting the huge impact of the European Union on all legislation introduced in Ireland. I hope the Government now avails of this opportunity, especially in light of the forthcoming Lisbon Treaty referendum. Fine Gael will support them in doing so, in the national interest.”

[jtd]

Wasn't the Forum on Europe Bertie's pet project?

[mccafferty cat]

Creighton Welcomes Closure of Forum on Europe


“The Forum on Europe had degenerated into a talking-shop, dominated by the social partners. Most of the ‘representatives’ who participated in the Forum had no mandate and did not represent any clear constituency. The Forum had become a very, very expensive forum of hot air.

She makes a good point here. The "observer pillar" (or whatever it's called) was basically a means for every nutcase, psycopath and beardy weirdo to arrive in and be given the very same platform of elected political representatives, to make wild and conspiratorial claims about Europe.

These psycopaths included Edward Horgan, and in more recent times, the likes of Libertas