Mulcahy welcomes progress on European Citizens Initiative

Dublin South Central TD Michael Mulcahy, who is a member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Affairs, has welcomed the progress that is being made on the European Citizens' Initiative with the publication today of proposals for a draft Regulation on the initiative.

“This is very good news for the Irish people and for democracy in the European Union.  The Citizens' Initiative allows for people from across the EU to come together and petition the European Commission to address a particular issue or adopt new legislation in a particular area.  This scheme was part of the Lisbon Treaty which was endorsed by the public and the initiative will give a voice to citizens across the EU,” said Deputy Mulcahy.

The European Citizens' Initiative provides that not less than one million citizens who are nationals of a significant number of Member States may take the initiative of inviting the Commission, within the framework of its powers, to submit any appropriate proposal on matters where citizens consider that a legal act of the Union is required for the purpose of implementing the Treaties.

“The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin TD, will be working with his European colleagues on the Commission’s proposal and the Government is hopeful that the Regulation can be finalised promptly so that the public can use this new process to make their voices heard directly by the European Commission,” concluded Deputy Mulcahy.