Irish government urged to take independent advice and limit spending on Lisbon Treaty referendum
26 August 2009
The Irish Times reports that the Irish government has been urged to accept a recommendation that spending limits be imposed on companies campaigning in referendums, following the news that US multinational Intel will spend several hundred thousand euros backing the Yes campaign. No campaigner Roger Cole, Chairman of the Peace and Neutrality Alliance, said it was unfair that there were no limits imposed on wealthy companies.
Meanwhile, the Irish Independent reports that Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen is planning to take a “major gamble” by letting the public know about tax reform proposals before the upcoming referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. The Commission on Taxation's report is already generating opposition from farmers over proposals to increase the inheritance tax on a family farm but government sources do not believe the report will impact negatively on the
Writing in the Irish Independent, Fionnan Sheahan notes that, “Within political circles…there are definite concerns the referendum still hangs in the balance, with its passing by no means guaranteed at all.”
The paper notes that the Irish Fishermen's Organisation (IFO) is now going to lobby for a 'No' vote after accusing the EU of undermining their livelihoods. IFO south-west Chairman Ebbie Sheehan said nothing had changed in
Irish Independent Irish Times Irish Independent: Sheahan Irish Independent 2
Conservatives could increase
The Telegraph reports that Shadow Europe Minister Mark Francois has said that a Conservative government would be willing to increase
In 2005, the Labour Government agreed a deal to cut the British rebate from the EU budget, negotiated by Margaret Thatcher in 1984, in exchange for reform to Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) farm subsidies. The paper reports that there has since been little change in the CAP, but the cost of
Meanwhile, the Economist’s Charlemagne blog looks at the circumstances surrounding the cut in
Telegraph Economist: Charlemagne blog Conservative Home Open Europe research
South African Minister criticises EU’s “commercial interests” in concluding EPA trade agreements
Reuters reports that the South African Trade Minister Rob Davies has said the EU is too focused on commercial interests in its Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with African countries, saying “What's clear to us is that although the stated intentions in the EPA process is to provide some legal basis to enhance access into the European Union market ... it's also overlaid with a series of trade-related obligations… And we do see those trade-related obligations as deriving from commercial ambitions of the European Union, partly in relation to the competition with
Davies also said that “There has been more of a willingness to give and take”, with the current EU Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton, compared with the former Commissioner Peter Mandelson before her.
Reuters Open Europe research OE blog
Euractiv France reports that the Spanish population, as well as several political leaders, are showing their support for the former Spanish Prime Minister, Felipe González to become EU President, if the Lisbon Treaty is ratified. The article reports on a study undertaken by the Spanish think tank Real Instituto Elcano which showed that 42% of people surveyed support González’s candidacy while only 23% support Tony Blair’s candidacy.
The Government could cut off the internet access of those caught illegally downloading copyrighted music and films under controversial plans announced by Business Secretary Lord Mandelson, the Mail reports. Internet service providers have expressed concern over policing their customers’ internet activity.
The decision to reintroduce the idea of disconnection, which had previously been ruled out, is similar to a proposal ruled illegal by a court in
The EU’s telecoms package is currently being negotiated, and contains a provision which would require a judicial decision before internet access could be cut.
Mail Sun OE blog BBC BBC blog WSJ Times: Naughton Guardian
EU leaders will meet for extra summit ahead of the G20 to decide on common position
The FT reports that French President Nicolas Sarkozy has unveiled tough new legislation to regulate bankers’ pay which will see banks barred from lucrative French government mandates if they fail to abide by new international guidelines on pay.
The French measures include deferring traders’ bonuses over three years, paying one-third of awards in shares, and imposing strict long-term performance criteria in order to receive full payment. Top French banks including BNP Paribas, Société Générale and Crédit Agricole have signed up to the new rules.
Meanwhile, EUobserver reports that EU leaders are to gather on 17 September for an extra summit in
WSJ Guardian FT Telegraph Welt EUobserver
Commission calls for private bodies to manage internet traffic
The European Commission is calling for international talks on managing internet traffic, which is currently managed only by the California-based Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, ICANN, which operates under a contract with the
EU directive on hedge fund regulation criticised by new report
The FT’s FM blog reports that a report by Mercer, a consulting group, has warned that the EU’s proposals for regulating the alternative investment industry could reduce choice and returns for institutional investors. The report says that, while the pensions industry supports better regulation it is concerned that “restricting the pool of alternatives managers will limit their options for achieving returns and diversifying their investment portfolios,” according to Robert Howie, alternatives researcher at Mercer.
The report also warned that the EU should give greater consideration to the global nature of the industry after concerns that EU based investors could be prevented from investing outside the EU.
Hedge Funds Review FT: FM blog
German Parliament debates new law to ratify
Today, the Bundestag is holding the first official reading on the new law required by the
The final voting in the Bundestag on the new law to ratify the Lisbon Treaty is to be held on 8 September.
Sueddeutsche.de Maerkische Allgemeine Reuters Tagesschau FAZ
European Commission President José Manuel Barroso will next week send his political programme to the political groups in the European Parliament in a bid to secure their support for a second mandate.
Finnish daily Helsingin Sanomat reports that the phasing out of incandescent light bulbs by the EU will require a significant increase in specialised waste-disposal points.
The Swedish EU Presidency is embroiled in a diplomatic crisis with
EUobserver reports that the EU’s EULEX mission in Kosovo was the target of violent protests yesterday by those opposed to the presence of the international community in the country.
Wirtschaftsblatt reports that the Bulgarian Finance Minister Simeon Djankow wants to re-enter accession talks on the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM II) which entails a two year practical test to introduce the euro. According to Djankow, the talks with the European Commission could start as soon as September.
The Independent has a profile of Philippe de Villiers, the only MEP elected under the Libertas banner in the European elections in June, and questions why French President Nicolas Sarkozy has brought him into his broad political coalition.
Handelsblatt reports that the European Commission will initiate legal procedures against
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The IHT reports that German Chancellor Angela Merkel has received criticism in various German newspapers for coming out so strongly in favour of the Magna bid for the Opel car manufacturer.
EU health officials yesterday issued a list of people who should be the first in line for vaccinations against the H1N1, or swine flu, virus, although they said the lists should be “indicative”.
Levante reports that Spanish PM Jose Luis Zapatero, is to begin an intense international agenda next week in Sweden, which amongst other things, will serve to prepare the Spanish EU Presidency.
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has called on European governments to end backing for the Israeli army veterans group, Breaking the Silence, which published a study about alleged abuses by soldiers in
The Express reports that John Prescott, the climate change ‘rapporteur’ for the Council of Europe, has said that securing a new climate deal at Copenhagen later this year “will be 10 times more difficult than Kyoto”.