EAPN Ireland Advanced Training Session 1 7 September 2006

1. EAPN Ireland Advanced TrainingSession 17 September 2006 Influencing EU Policy A guide for anti-poverty groups Robin Hanan European Anti Poverty Network (EAPN) Ireland www.eapn.ie

2. Outline Why? When? Who? How? What? Where? www.eapn.ie

3. Why… do we need to influence EU policy?? When… should we lobby the EU? Who… makes decisions at EU level? How… do we influence them?? What… do we need to do? Where… can we get more information? www.eapn.ie

4. Why… influence EU policy? • Key decisions taken at EU level • Legal – for example, equality legislation • Political – for example, commitment to ‘make a decisive impact on poverty by 2010’ • Economic – for example, budgetary policy • Funding – directly and through the Government • Most decision-making still inter-governmental • Learn from other countries • Build alliances www.eapn.ie

5. When…should we lobby the EU? • Legal • areas of Community competence • Implementation of EU decisions • Political • Open Method of Coordination • to influence our own Government • to build alliances EU lobbying is linked to national and local lobbying, not a stand-alone www.eapn.ie

6. Who…makes decisions at EU level? • Also … • Oversight • Court of Justice • Court of Auditors • Advisory Bodies • Economic and Social Committee • Committee of the Regions www.eapn.ie

7. Decision-making • Commission proposes all legislation • Decisions are made by • The Council alone or • The Council and Parliament (‘Co-decision’) • Commission implements decisions www.eapn.ie

8. Council - Forms • European Council • Prime Ministers, Taoisigh etc. • Council of Ministers • One Minister from each country • COREPER • Permanent Representations (Embassies) • Working Groups • Standing Groups, Special Groups etc. (Presidency chairs all of the above) www.eapn.ie

9. Parliament - Roles • Legislation • Co-decision • Consultation • Assent • Supervision • Approve or reject or sack Commission • Input to Councils • Comment on reports • Representation • Own initiative reports • ‘the voice of the people • Budgetary Power • Modify budget lines • Overrule ‘non-compulsory spending’ • Reject entire budget www.eapn.ie

10. Parliament - working • Monthly plenaries • Committees and delegations • Political Groups • Bureau • Inter-Groups www.eapn.ie

11. Political Groups www.eapn.ie

12. Commission Composition • One Commissioner from each state (ie 25) • Permanent ‘Civil Service’ • ‘Directorate-Generals’ Role • Proposes decisions • Implements decisions • Guardian of the Treaties • ‘Community Interest’ www.eapn.ie

13. How…Do we influence them? Council Through Ministers Direct contact, media debate, Oireachtas Scrutiny’, PQs etc Working Groups Through Civil Servants Direct contacts, partnership, dialogue Parliament Through MEPs Direct contact, especially with assistants Commission Direct contacts, MEP questions www.eapn.ie

14. Lobbying styles • Reason • I have a well-researched case • Seduction • I and my organisation are helpful, nice people.. • Blackmail • If you don’t agree, the Government will look bad; our members will be angry; I will not stop pestering you … www.eapn.ie

15. What…Do we need to do? Information is power What decision is being made, when, by who? Who can influence this decision? Why is our answer correct? Credibility Who do we speak for? …really? Are our arguments well-founded? Do we know enough to avoid being ‘fobbed off’ www.eapn.ie

16. What…(continued) • Play to our strengths • Information from the real world • Analysis • Ability to mobilise/influence public opinion • Build alliances • European, national, local • Assertive in public, polite in private • Consistency • Persistence, persistence, persistence www.eapn.ie

17. Where…Do I get more information? www.europa.eu.int Policy pages Institutions Documents www.euireland.ie/ Information points in Ireland Irish angles on policy Irish MEPs’ contacts www.eapn.ie Policy pages How to influence EU policy Jargon-buster News www.eapn.ie