The European Union

The European Union

1. Institutions 7

   • The Commission
     • Who? 28 Commissioners appointed by member state governments. (Maire Geoghan Quinn)
       • Each commissioner is responsible of a particular area.
     • Responsibility? To propose new laws, to manage the day to day running of the EU.
     • Works solely in the interest of the EU.
   • European Parliament Lux / Strasbourg/ Brussels
     • Directly elected by EU citizens.
     • Represents EU citizens
     • Debates and passes EU legislation jointly with the Council of Europe
     • Approves the EU budget and is a watchdog for the citizens
   • Council of the European Union Brussels
     • Who? Ministers from each of 28 governments which minister depends on what is being discussed.
     • Responsibility ?To pass EU law with the parliament.
       • Directive LB
         • Change or amend national law to achieve objective
       • Regulations LB
         • Applies to all states in the same way.
       • Decision LB
         • Applies to one c ountry, company or person.
       • Recommendation Not LB
         • Expresses an opinion that the member state can accept or not.
   • European Council Brussels
     • http://www.european-council.europa.eu/home-page.aspx?lang=en
     • Who? 28 Heads of State (Enda Kenny)
     • Responsibility? To set the direction and priorities of the EU
     • Represents: Individual countries.
   • Court of Auditors Luxembourg
     • Monitors income and expenditure.
     • Ensures EU money is spent in a way that provides best value to EU tax payers
     • 28 members
   • Court of Justice Luxembourg
     • 28 judges
     • Responsibility? To interpret EU law and make sure EU law is applied equally in every state.
   • European Central Bank Frankfurt
     • Responsibility? Managing the euro and the EU’s monetary policy

2. Policies

   • Environmental Policy by 2020
     • aims to help prevent climate change by seriously reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 20%
     • aims to raise renewable energy’s share of the market to 20 %
     • aims to cut overall energy consumption by 20 %.
     • 10 % of fuel for transport should come from biofuerls, electricity or hydrogen.
   • Common Agricultural Policy
     • Stable supply of affordable food
     • Keep countryside alive
     • Environmentally sustainable production
     • Protect income of farmers
     • Attracting young farmers
   • Common Fisheries Policy
     • http://youtu.be/TnXSFznoVaQ
     • Conservation of fish stock
     • Protect the marine environment
     • Promoting Aquaculture
     • Stable affordable supply of food
     • Protect the income of fishermen
   • Single European Market
     • Freedom of movement of
       • Capital
       • Workers
       • Goods
     • No trade barriers within
     • Common External Barriers
       • Tariff
         • tax/customs duty
       • Quota
         • Restrictiton on quantities
       • Embargo
         • Complete ban
       • Subsidies
         • Helps out home trade
   • Regional /Structural Policy
     • ERDF and ESF
     • Cohesion and Equality
     • Infrastructure and employment creation
   • Competition Policy
     • To ensure free competition and prevent anti-competitive behaviour
     • Cartels - price fixing
     • Abuse of dominant position - squeezing competitors out
     • Monitors mergers
     • Open markets to competition
     • Why? Low prices, better quality, innovation, more choice.
       • http://ec.europa.eu/avservices/video/player.cfm?ref=I072385