Mock EU Council Meeting 24th March 2011

Participants in mock EU Council Meeting March 24th 2011

To-day we had a simulated EU Council Meeting to coincide with the real negotiations taking place in Brussels where, up for debate among other issues, is the future of economic governance in Europe. According to EU Commission President, José Manuel Barroso the Spring European Council, 24-

25 March 2011 "will mark the beginning of the setting up of a new economic governance framework". The economic policy of each Member State, he said " is now recognised as a matter that should concern all Member States and all the European institutions".

Our deliberations in class  focused on the thorny issue of harmonisation of corporation tax with contributions from Erasmus students representing the following EU Member States-  Germany ( Kathleen Schreiber); France  (Agathe Riviere); Estonia (Barby Jorgi); United Kingdom ( John Counihan); Czech Republic ( Lucy Stumpfova); Finland (Hanna Teelahti & Henry Holopainen); Carmel Hanafin (Portugal); Greece ( Aileen Hurley & Jessica O'Sullivan); Italy (David Murphy); The Irish delegation was led by Madeleine Burke and Colette O'Leary with support from Keven O'Shea and Kieran McKenna.

The session was very informative with  participants presenting the views of their national governments based on research conducted. A lively debate ensued between the Irish delegation and President of the European Council on the issue of Ireland's low rate of corporation tax.

 Well done to all participants in what was a very worthwhile learning experience.