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THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT is reportedly seeking agreement among European Union member states to begin work on a new EU treaty enshrining budget rules across the continent.
News magazine Der Spiegel reports that Angela Merkel’s cabinet ministers and regional heads of government are seeking agreement to establish a convention which would “work on a new legal foundation for the EU”.
The report says the move is supported by a majority of the members of the so-called “future group” – an informal forum of ten EU foreign ministers which includes Germany’s Guido Westerwelle.
Der Spiegel says the report would see the extension of some of the principles contained in the Fiscal Compact and giving them a firm, unquestionable basis within the EU’s founding treaties.
This would include giving the European Court of Justice the right to monitor the individual budgets of member states, and to punish what Germans occasionally call ‘deficit sinners’ – countries which do not meet the overspending limits set down for them by Brussels.
The report also notes, however, that Ireland would be resistant to the idea – as it would trigger an automatic referendum on approval, even though the Fiscal Compact was approved only three months ago – while Poland also opposes it, believing no consensus is possible.
Another potential obstacle is the proposed timing for the new treaty talks: Germany says it wants an agreement on the date for the convention to be agreed at the European Council summit on December 13 and 14.
This could prove difficult – because that meeting will come just two weeks before Ireland assumes the presidency of the European Council, meaning Enda Kenny’s government would be asked to host a convention it has little interest in.
Germany had already sought to have the Fiscal Compact principles enshrined in a full EU treaty, but the vetoes of the United Kingdom and the Czech Republic meant the deal was limited to the status of an international agreement between 25 of the 27 current member states.
The final text of that deal, however, did include a provision that participating countries would seek to adopt its terms into full EU law, though they gave themselves five years to do so. Germany’s move may therefore be seen as a mere fulfilment of this pledge.
AP said Angela Merkel’s office had not responded to requests for comment this afternoon.
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The whole ‘parliament’ thing needs to be examined – It is not democracy to go to the pub then pass legislation that affects the whole population and then not listening to the opposition or not allowing them to talk.
@eastsmer #IRExit: It’s one this to describe the forum examining Dáil privilege as an “expert one”, but exactly how does Mary Hanafin and Conor Brady qualify as legal or constitutional experts?
As far as I can see the only thing they both have in common is an innate ability to look after their own interests and Hanafin ‘obtained’ a diploma in legal studies from DIT. Doesn’t exactly inspire confidence, another outcome written before the forum meets.
@eastsmer #IRExit: We are governed by a sound bite government of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, the fact their intellects are eclipsed by their egos is becoming more apparent each passing day.
@The Risen:
They couldn’t nail him in court now they’re trying to silence him in the Dail.
Paul Murphy’s influence grows stronger by the week.
The rightful heir to Joe Higgins throne.
Comic Gold.
@Hurt Stoogie:
The 2% who brought the government to its knees over Irish Water and have instilled such fear and trepidation in Fine Tory that other much touted financial impositions such as a Broadcasting Charge and and privatised waste management proposals have been hastily shelved.
The current establishment are the enemy of the people and Paul Murphy is our champion.
@Emmet Dillane: 2%? That from a polling company, is it?
In a recent case taken by a certain Denis O’Brien, the Supreme Court ruled that Dail privilege is an absolute right defined as such in the Constitution. So the C.C. has no right to curtail it. The people alone have the right to censure a TD by declining to re-elect him. In a country where there have been too many secrets for too many decades we should value Dail privilege highly now that we are finally electing some TDs with the courage to use it.
There is no basis for using the Dail’s rules to science an individual member. The TDs do not answer to each other. They answer to us.
As the issue is covered by the constitution then I would have thought that the Supreme Court is the only forum which has the authority to definitively decide such matters.
@Jimmy McCarthy: There might well be actions taken by the committee which are then challenged in court.
Did the Gardai, commit perjury and why doesn’t the AG bring charges for it?
No.
Beachside, no.
@Stephen murphy: it appears there’s no offence of perjury in Ireland on the statute books ; though perverting the course of justice does exist.
The establishment cannot contain themselves. We need to overthrow the government.
Is that Mary who the people of Dunlaoighre said no thanks. If it is it really does show no difference between the two government party’s . F/F F/G. Are they getting payed?
Why now does the Ceann Comhairle need to examine when Dail Privilege is exceeded! He is the Ceann Comhairle, and as so, should Know when, or not it’s breached! Why Now does he need an Expert Group to examine this! He either knows his Job, or he doesn’t. Which is it?
@Hurt Stoogie: Put back in their boxes? Not a fan of free and open democracy then are you ye blueshirt bootlick?
You have to laugh at this meaningless bullsh!t. What did we ever do in days before:
Tribunals
Hearings
Reports
Commissions
Inquiries
Probes
investigations
Special task forces
Citizens assemblies
And now Expert forums…..
“Summer recess” youd be amazed what all that free time does to the mind in The Dail Bar. Just wait for the Tin Foil Hat Treaty
What a waste of time and money. Murphy was not convicted of anything yet our Taoiseach accused him of being a thug. Then the Taoiseach should be reprimanded and told to Mind his rhetoric in future.
@Paul Coughlan: Thuggery is not a criminal offence.
@Paul Coughlan: he didn’t accuse him of being a thug . He said that there was a lot of thuggery going on that day . There’s a difference. ..
EXpert FORUM ,can we be tolled what exactly these guys are expert in ,maybe gombeenism .
@The Risen: Murphy and Mary Lou, who lied in the Dáil, need to be put back in their boxes.
@Hurt Stoogie: Just to clarify, before I report your comment, was it directed at me?
@The Risen: you ok hun? PMSL
@james connolly: Someone must have reported all Risen/Jammin’s defamatory comments…
The words kangaroo and court and exceeding your authority spring to mind.
Expert forum to shut up those whom go against the status quo… FG FF LIEBOUR hate the likes of P Murphy. His stature is growing and they need him nullified. Courts couldn’t so Dail will try.. Fools adding to his rise ..
Lols
@Emmet Dillane: yes, the 2% popular party..
@Hurt Stoogie: It’s name calling but never mind I understand your connection with reality is fairly tentative.
@The Risen: poor snowflake.. what comment? That Mary Lou lied in the Dáil or that Pbp are on 2%? Are you jamming?
@Hurt Stoogie: It’s ironic that you resort to name calling given your comment about the “brainless left”
@Hurt Stoogie: Thought so. All mouth, no pantaloons.
@The Risen: watching that runt murphy being put in him box by Leo was one of the truly epic Dail moments.
@james connolly: it was a great moment …
@The Risen: Is “the Risen” your real name shinnerbot?
Solicitors for the Gardaí will like to know when they’re suing you for defamation…
@The Risen: At least he made it to Barcelona to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Bolshevik revolution. Fond memories include: 15 million dead in the ensuing chaos, dictatorship of the proletariat, Lenin, Stalin. Good times.
@Emmet Dillane: Paul Murphy is no Joe Higgins
@Bryan Kelly: telling lies us free and open is it? Calling names is the resort of the brainless left…
@Diarmuid: But Diarmuid I suspect they can spell better then you can. Maybe we should stop educating these wild left wingers?
@ Butt hurt
Probably time that you considered reinventing yourself again stoogie
@Hurt Stoogie: Poor Risen/Were Jammin/For Connolly is pure jealy he’s not one of the Jobstown Martyrs.
@Diarmuid: the poor snowflake is rather upset that everyone see murphy for the thug that he is
@The Risen: thought what? I notice you don’t engage in discussion re points made about dear deputy leaders lie in the Dáil… all mouth, no actual balls.
Expert Forum needed to establish how those idiots got in the Dail, don’t mind worrying about privileges.
@Kerry Blake: it’s not name calling, it’s stating facts.
@high ho silver: and that gives Murphy the right to break the Dail rules?
One embarrassment after another…
What a load of loaded nonsense
One woman in a 4 person panel. It would have been nice to see gender balance.
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