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The purpose of this study group is to explore and exchange ideas and views that are
concerning the Member States in working towards further integration and to examine
how the likely changes will affect the balance of power within the European Institutions,
between Member States and between the E.U. and the rest of the world, particularly the
U.S.

As a former elected member of the European Parliament for 5 years, I intend to outline
my own political experiences working with members of the Parliament and officials of
the Commission. As an Irish Government Minister, in later years, I represented Ireland
at European Ministers meetings and chaired such meetings during the Irish Presidency of
the European Union.

Week 1: 13th February 2008: THE EU ITS PURPOSE AND EVOLUTION

Speaker: SÌle de Valera

This session will look at how the powers of the European Institutions have evolved since
the first directly elected Parliament in 1979.
It is my intention during this first study group to give a general overview of the European
Institutions, the purpose of the EU, the evolution of the EU Framework from its inception
to what is being proposed in the Lisbon Treaty. The study group session will also focus
on the significant issues facing the EU currently, the effects of EU integration and EU
relations with the United States.

The aim of this particular study group is to give a flavour based on personal experience of
the EU and its workings.

Week 2: 20th February: THE EU AND THE IMPLICATIONS FOR SOVEREIGNTY

Speakers: Mr. Eamon O Cuiv, Government Minister with responsibility for
Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

Mr. Gerry Kearney, Secretary General and Chief Administrator of a
Government Department delivering EU Programmes and Schemes
This session will consider the practicalities of EU membership – the balance between
sovereignty and EU community interests, particular institutional and legislative
developments, as well as from a Departmental perspective, issues relating to EU
programmes and their implementation at national level.

Week 3: 27th February 2008: CITIZENS AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE EU

Speaker: Martin Macken: Electoral and Campaign Strategist. He was the
campaign strategist for the successful 'Yes to Nice' referendum
campaign in Ireland, which was the decisive vote to enlarge the
European Union.

There is a feeling of disenchantment amongst some Irish people regarding the E.U.,
including the belief that they are been dictated to by “faceless bureaucrats” in
Brussels. This sentiment was reflected in the initial “No Vote” to the Nice Treaty in
2001. During the study group it is intended to examine the main reason the Irish people
rejected the first Nice Treaty 2001.

How do we make the European Institutions more meaningful to the Irish Citizen? How
do we tackle the growing feeling of isolation from Brussels? How do we convince the
Irish citizen that he or she has a voice on the European stage?

During this study group it is intended to draw on the personal campaign experience of
Mr. Martin Macken, who was one of the leaders in the second “Nice Treaty” campaign
in Ireland, following which the Irish people ratified the Treaty.

What were the key motivators that brought about this change and what lessons from
this campaign can be utilised to ensure a Yes Vote in the forthcoming Lisbon Treaty
Referendum. This is of a paramount importance as Ireland is the only country where
the people directly vote on the Treaty.

Where were the key motivators that brought about this change? What are the lessons
from this campaign for key stakeholders including government at national level and the
EU institutions? What are the implications if any, for the forthcoming referendum on
the Lisbon Treaty? This is of particular significance given that Ireland is the only
country where the Electorate will directly vote on the Treaty.

Week 4: 5th March 2008: EU SECURITY AND FOREIGN POLICY V THE REST OF THE WORLD

Speaker: Michael Collins, Irish Ambassador to the US

Should the E.U. have the power to form its own Defence Forces and if so how would
this affect relations with the U.S.? It is not always understood that the European Union
cannot take unilateral action in times of War. Some Member States are members of
NATO, some have a policy of Neutrality. Should this change given the growth of
Internationalism Terrorism?

This study group will also look at the evolution of policies concerning military and
humanitarian aid provided by the EU to crisis regions in the world and the impact this
funding has had.

Week 5: 12th March 2008: A UNITED STATES OF EUROPE? TRADE AND THE US

Speaker: Mr. John Bruton E.U. Ambassador to the U.S.

Should the E.U. be working towards a United States of Europe? In times of crises the
European Union is often accused of being slow to react. Is this due to a decentralised
power base?

Would it not be easier for all to have a centralised President and Cabinet who would be
immediately identifiable and have the power to act?

Would a Federal Europe make more sense? Would this be possible given the diversity
of culture, language, traditions, legal and political systems and differing economic
needs?

Week 6: 2nd April 2008: THE EU FROM A PRESIDENTS PERSPECTIVE

Speaker: Mr. Pat Cox, European Expert and recently retired President of the
European Parliament.

Mr. Pat Cox is recently retired President of the European Parliament and was an active
campaigner for the successful enlargement and integration of the European Union. He is
the European Parliament senior representative on the Intergovernmental Conference on
the Constitutional Treaty of the EU.

This study group will examine the issues and difficulties around enlargement, from the
perspective of a President of the European Parliament and will also study the workings of
the EU in general based on the personal experience of Mr. Pat Cox, who has also worked
as an economist and broadcaster.

As current President of the European Movement International, Mr. Cox will also give an
international dimension to the EU.

Week 7: 9th April 2008: THE EU AND IRIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EU AND US ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

Speaker: Mr. Andrew Clarke, President of Confederation Fiscale Europenne
Prof. Peter Clinch, Prof. of Regional and Urban Planning and Jean
Monet Professor of European Environmental Policy

This study group will focus on two areas of policy that are currently at the centre of the
European debate, the environment and the economy.

Prof. Clinch will focus on the environment, global warming and EU v US environmental
policy. The study group will trace the evolution of European policy and how this differs
with other European powers particularly the USA, for example the differing approaches
take to the Kyoto agreement.

Mr. Clarke will examine how EU fiscal policies impact on the Member States. In
particular, the growth of the Celtic Tiger in Ireland over the last decade and whether the
EU was responsible for those phenomenal success will be examined and how proposals
for further integration are likely to affect economic development.

The location of US industry in Europe and vice versa, competitiveness in the global
market will also be examined.

Week 8: 16th April 2008: THE EU AND GLOBALIZATION MIGRATION/EMIGRATION AND THE EU

Speaker: Prof. Brigid Laffan, UCD College of Human Sciences and President of
the Dublin European Institute in UCD

This last study group will be facilitated by leading European expert Prof. Brigid Laffan.
Prof. Laffan will examine issues pertaining to globalisation and focus on the differeing
reactions across Europe to this growing phenomena.

Prof. Laffan will also look at issues relating to emigration and Migration. Is Migration
sowing the seeds of discontent within Member States of the E. U since enlargement in
2004? Is this discontent more prevalent in Member States where the economy is
performing poorly? Could this discontent destabilise the E.U. and signal its demise?

Prof. Laffan will also explore current EU/US relations.