2007 Press Releases
The Fate of the Union - UCC Conference
19.11.2007
As Ireland begins to debate the EU Reform Treaty in advance of next year's referendum, it is becoming clear that a 'no' vote here will halt progress towards 'an ever closer union'.
19.11.2007
As Ireland begins to debate the EU Reform Treaty in advance of next year's referendum, it is becoming clear that a 'no' vote here will halt progress towards 'an ever closer union'.
From November 22nd-24th, University College Cork (UCC) will be the venue for early deliberations on Ireland's fateful decision. Alliance Française de Cork in association with the Department of Government, UCC, and the Institut Robert Schuman pour l'Europe, has assembled an impressive range of local, national and international figures to discuss: The Challenge of Europe for our Century: Towards a Union of Pragmatism and Vision?
A recent Irish Times/MRBI poll revealed that the numbers who do not know how they will vote on the EU Reform Treaty is higher in Munster than in any other region of Ireland. This important and timely European Symposium, therefore, provides a valuable opportunity for the Cork and Munster region to discuss and debate future plans and visions for the future of Europe with a broad spectrum of speakers. The European Symposium will be addressed by Michéal Martin, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Dick Roche, Minister for European Affairs. Other contributors include Pat Cox, President of the International European Movement and former President of the European Parliament; Alan Dukes, President of Alliance Française Dublin and Director General of the Institute of International and European Affairs; French Ambassador to Ireland, Yvon Roé d'Albert and Irish MEPs, Colm Burke and Kathy Sinnott.
The National Forum On Europe will hold a special debate during the Symposium on Ireland's Contribution to the European Union. The session will be chaired by the Forum Chairman, Maurice Hayes, and the guest speakers will be Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, Member of the European Court of Auditors; David Byrne, former Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection; Mrs Justice Fidelma Macken, former judge at the European Court of Justice and Pat Cox, former President of the European Parliament.
During the symposium, UCC's European Documentation Centre (EDC) in the newly refurbished and extended Boole Library, will be officially renamed the Robert Schuman European Documentation Centre by Minister for European Affairs, Dick Roche. A bust of the former French statesman and 'father of Europe' will be unveiled during the ceremony on Friday November 23rd at 1.30pm in the presence of 27 Euro children (Eurochild Association). The EDC, which houses UCC's collection of official European Union publications and documents, supports the study, teaching and research of EU-related issues.
Attendance at the European Symposium is free and open to all. The majority of contributions will be in English. (French presentations will be simultaneously translated into English and English presentations will be simultaneously translated into French. Translation in sign language will also be performed throughout the Symposium).
Press and the general public are invited to the Symposium and to the following receptions:
Mr Dick Roche, TD Minister for European Affairs, unveiled a bronze bust of Robert Schuman, former French Statesman in the newly renamed Robert Schuman European Documentation Centre, Boole Library, University College Cork on 23rd November 2007. Also on hand to greet the Minister was a group of Euro children representing St Columba’s Boys School, Douglas; Gaelscoil An Ghort Alainn, Mayfield; Our Lady of Lourdes, Ballinlough; St Anthony’s, Glounthaune; Scoil Brid, Glounthaune. Included in picture are: Nora Callanan, Presidente de l’Alliance Française de Cork; Philippe Laurette, Président Association Jean Monnet; Yvon Roé d’Albert, French Ambassador to Ireland; Richard Stack; Dick Roche, Minister for European Affairs; Henrik Kroner, Secrétaire Géneral du Mouvement Européen International; Pat Cox, former President of the European Parliament; Maurice Rieutord, sj, Delegue General de l’Institut Robert Schuman; John FitzGerald, UCC Librarian; Helene Duquin Directrice de l’Alliance Française de Cork.
The programme is available at the following links:
http://www.ucc.ie/en/government/News/bodytext,44785,en.html
http://www.alliancefrancaisecork.com
http://www.institut-robert-schuman.eu
http://www.forumoneurope.ie
566MMcS
A recent Irish Times/MRBI poll revealed that the numbers who do not know how they will vote on the EU Reform Treaty is higher in Munster than in any other region of Ireland. This important and timely European Symposium, therefore, provides a valuable opportunity for the Cork and Munster region to discuss and debate future plans and visions for the future of Europe with a broad spectrum of speakers. The European Symposium will be addressed by Michéal Martin, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Dick Roche, Minister for European Affairs. Other contributors include Pat Cox, President of the International European Movement and former President of the European Parliament; Alan Dukes, President of Alliance Française Dublin and Director General of the Institute of International and European Affairs; French Ambassador to Ireland, Yvon Roé d'Albert and Irish MEPs, Colm Burke and Kathy Sinnott.
The National Forum On Europe will hold a special debate during the Symposium on Ireland's Contribution to the European Union. The session will be chaired by the Forum Chairman, Maurice Hayes, and the guest speakers will be Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, Member of the European Court of Auditors; David Byrne, former Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection; Mrs Justice Fidelma Macken, former judge at the European Court of Justice and Pat Cox, former President of the European Parliament.
During the symposium, UCC's European Documentation Centre (EDC) in the newly refurbished and extended Boole Library, will be officially renamed the Robert Schuman European Documentation Centre by Minister for European Affairs, Dick Roche. A bust of the former French statesman and 'father of Europe' will be unveiled during the ceremony on Friday November 23rd at 1.30pm in the presence of 27 Euro children (Eurochild Association). The EDC, which houses UCC's collection of official European Union publications and documents, supports the study, teaching and research of EU-related issues.
Attendance at the European Symposium is free and open to all. The majority of contributions will be in English. (French presentations will be simultaneously translated into English and English presentations will be simultaneously translated into French. Translation in sign language will also be performed throughout the Symposium).
Press and the general public are invited to the Symposium and to the following receptions:
- The Official Opening in Devere Hall, UCC Student Centre, on Thursday November 22nd 2007 at 6.00 pm followed by a Reception offered by Lord Mayor Donal Counihan in Council Chambers, Cork City Hall at 8.00 pm.
- The unveiling of the Bronze Bust of Robert Schuman by Minister Dick Roche TD on Friday November 23rd 2007 at 1.30 pm in the Robert Schuman European Documentation Centre, Boole Library, UCC - in the presence of 27 Euro children (Eurochild Association).
- The reception offered by the European Commission at 1.15 pm on Saturday November 24th 2007, Aula Maxima, UCC.
Mr Dick Roche, TD Minister for European Affairs, unveiled a bronze bust of Robert Schuman, former French Statesman in the newly renamed Robert Schuman European Documentation Centre, Boole Library, University College Cork on 23rd November 2007. Also on hand to greet the Minister was a group of Euro children representing St Columba’s Boys School, Douglas; Gaelscoil An Ghort Alainn, Mayfield; Our Lady of Lourdes, Ballinlough; St Anthony’s, Glounthaune; Scoil Brid, Glounthaune. Included in picture are: Nora Callanan, Presidente de l’Alliance Française de Cork; Philippe Laurette, Président Association Jean Monnet; Yvon Roé d’Albert, French Ambassador to Ireland; Richard Stack; Dick Roche, Minister for European Affairs; Henrik Kroner, Secrétaire Géneral du Mouvement Européen International; Pat Cox, former President of the European Parliament; Maurice Rieutord, sj, Delegue General de l’Institut Robert Schuman; John FitzGerald, UCC Librarian; Helene Duquin Directrice de l’Alliance Française de Cork.
The programme is available at the following links:
http://www.ucc.ie/en/government/News/bodytext,44785,en.html
http://www.alliancefrancaisecork.com
http://www.institut-robert-schuman.eu
http://www.forumoneurope.ie
566MMcS