Daily Archives: May 12, 2010

Explaining the European Union to Students

May 12, 2010
By Stephen
Explaining the European Union to Students

Image via Wikipedia Today I had the joy of joining members of the European Movement Ireland in part of their schools roadshow on the European Union. Today we visited Colaiste Mhuire in Crosshaven. Leading the show was Andrea Pappin, the Executive Director, and she was joined with by Billie Sparks, the Education and Advocacy Director. I stood quiet in the coner! We were dealing with transition year students. Andrea started off the workshop by explaining about the history of...

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The Con/Lib Agreement on Europe

May 12, 2010
By Stephen
The Con/Lib Agreement on Europe

Image via Wikipedia My last post had a quick look at what the Con/Lib Agreement said on Political Reform. Now look at what should be a what the Agreement says on the EU. As a Euroblogger I probably should have done this first! The UK will not join the Euro. No surprise there. They will try to limit the Working Time Directive in its application to the UK. The 1972 European Communities Act will be amended so that any...

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Some points from the Conservative and Liberal Agreement: Political Reform

May 12, 2010
By Stephen
Some points from the Conservative and Liberal Agreement: Political Reform

Image via Wikipedia The Liberal Democrats have posted the agreement online. Here are some of things that jump out at me on Political Reform. We agree to establish a committee to bring forward proposals for a wholly or mainly elected upper chamber on the basis of proportional representation. The parties agree to the establishment of five year fixed-term parliaments The parties will bring forward a Referendum Bill on electoral reform, which includes provision for the introduction of the Alternative...

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The 17th Member of the Eurozone: Estonia

May 12, 2010
By Stephen
The 17th Member of the Eurozone: Estonia

Image via Wikipedia Estonia is set to join the Eurozone on the 1st of January 2011 according to the Irish Times. Estonia was given the all clear by the European Commission. Estonia will be the fifth of the 2004 intake to join the common currency following Slovenia in 2007, Malta and Cyprus in 2008 and Slovakia in 2009. Plans by Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic are still not on track, so they will not be joining the currency...

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The New UK Government

May 12, 2010
By Stephen
The New UK Government

Image via Wikipedia Taken from the StephenSpillane.com Facebook page notes: Here is the cabinet as it is announced. The Liberal Democrats are expected to get 5 posts, 3  are confirmed (Clegg, Laws, Cable), but 2 others have been mentioned (Huhne (Climate and Energy) and Alexander (Scotland) . So far only one woman as been appointed. (13:20 update) The Full Cabinet as Announced: Prime Minister – David Cameron (Con) Deputy Prime Minister – Nick Clegg (LD) Chancellor of the Exchequer...

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