The National Forum on Europe - Forum Chairman addresses European Parliament Committee

The Chairman of the National Forum on Europe, Senator Maurice Hayes, has told a key Committee of the European Parliament that MEPs need to establish themselves as key players in informing, engaging and connecting the citizens they represent with the European Union. The Forum Chairman said that given their critical role as democratically elected representatives, MEPs had an important role to play as the Union begins the process of re-engaging with its citizens in the wake of the No votes to the European Constitution by the voters of France and the Netherlands.

Senator Hayes was addressing the Constitutional Affairs Committee in Brussels today (Thursday 15th September 2005). On the agenda was how the European Parliament should respond to the call by EU leaders, after the French and Dutch referenda, for "a period of reflection" on the future of the Constitution and on the direction of the EU as a whole.

Senator Hayes, who is the first person to be invited by the Committee to contribute to the debate, outlined the role and the work of the National Forum on Europe which was set up four years ago. "The Forum's purpose is to provide a neutral public space within which political views and analyses of all shades can be offered on the European Union, and on Ireland in the Union" he said. "The ability to engage requires an understanding of the ever-changing debate. It requires commitment and continuity; it requires adequate resources to be made available. And it requires flexibility and adaptability. These are some of the lessons we have learned to date."

Earlier, the Forum Chairman had a meeting with the Irish Commissioner, Charlie McCreevy, who is in charge of the Internal Market and Services. He also met the Commission Vice President, Margot Wallström, who has responsibility for Communication Strategy. During his two-day visit to Brussels Senator Hayes also addressed the Institute for European Affairs and had meetings with the Secretary General of the European Commission, David O'Sullivan and with Ms Odile Quintin, the Commission's Director General of Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities.

Download Chairman's Address below: