Archive for category: Policy

The 165^th EU Committee of the Regions plenary session started on Wednesday, 2nd April, in the European Parliament’s Hemicycle. It marked the second of the new mandate and began with a debate on the concerns and priorities of the Polish presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The Polish presidency, which commenced in January, is working under the motto ‘Security, Europe’ and has seven dimensions:

1. Defence and security
2. Protection of people and borders
3. Resistance to foreign interference and disinformation
4. Ensuring security and freedom of business
5. Energy transition
6. Competitive and resilient agriculture
7. Health security

Following the debate, the plenary adopted the CoR’s Draft Budget 2026. The 2026 draft budget is based on the final 2025 budget of €130.45 million, which represented a 5.9% increase from 2024. The CoR’s Commission for Financial and Administrative Affairs (CFAA), which prepared the Draft Budget submissions, proposed another 8.9% increase for 2026. The majority of this increase concerns fixed costs, such as wage inflation and rent. The plenary adopted the budget, however, members did note that there is an onus on the institution to explore ways to reduce costs going forward.

The first opinion of the day was Stephen De Ron’s (LU/GREENS) “The local and regional perspective in the implementation of the Rule of Law in the European Union”. The opinion highlights the challenges to the rule of law, such as judicial independence, media freedom, and civic participation, which, in turn, the rapporteur argues, weakens territorial cohesion and the legitimacy of European actions.

Having adopted De Ron’s opinion, the plenary turned its attention to two Local Matters. Local Matters are topics submitted for debate by CoR members ahead of plenary and this debate focused on two; firstly, the highly topical “Local dimension of the new U.S tariff policy on European agri-food products”, and secondly “Enhancing connectivity for EU islands”.

Irish Delegation member, Cllr. Caroline Dwane Stanley (IE/ EA) contributed to the first debate, she noted that “The impending tariffs being proposed by President Trump, will cause huge instability in world trade and the economic consequences could be devastating for an open market like Ireland which has built a lot of its economic growth and expansion from a period of globalisation and economic policy of free trade around the world.”  She concluded her contribution by noting that “In a new world of erratic leadership, it would be great to see some calm and strategic leadership from the European Union.”

A debate on local and regional perspectives on enlargement with Commissioner for enlargement Marta Kos followed this. The debate repeated the CoR’s central message on enlargement – ‘a successful and sustainable accession process must engage LRAs from the very beginning’. This involvement is not only practical—given that over 70% of EU legislation is implemented at local and regional level—but strategic. The long-term stability and democratic legitimacy of accession depend on reforms taking root within communities, not being imposed from above.

Following the debate, the CoR adopted two opinions concerning enlargement firstly Aleksandra Dulkiewicz’s (PL/EPP) “Enlargement package 2024 – Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia” and secondly, Jean-Luc Vanraes’ (BE/RENEW E.) “Enlargement package 2024 – Western Balkans and Türkiye”. Following the adoption of both, the plenary adjourned for the evening.

The plenary resumed on Thursday morning with an opinion by Carlos Mazón Guixot (ES/EPP) entitled “Enhancing EU regional agricultural competitiveness: A comprehensive strategy integrating equitable trade conditions and phytosanitary security”. The opinion emphasises the importance of local and regional perspectives in agricultural production and water resilience, which is critical for securing food supply continuity across the EU. The opinion was duly adopted.

Half an hour later, Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms of the European Commission, Raffaele Fitto, presented the proposals for Cohesion Policy’s Mid-Term Review. He noted that “This proposal aims at ensuring that Cohesion Policy remains not only effective but adapted to unprecedented challenges and realities on the ground. We are giving Member States and regions the opportunity to spend in new specific areas. This is a voluntary choice, and I am committed to defend the core principles of Cohesion Policy, which will remain a fundamental component of the EU long-term budget after 2027.” However, members raised concerns regarding the possible additional administrative burden of the reprogramming exercise and the risk of diverting Cohesion Policy from its long-term objectives.

Speaking on behalf of the European Alliance group, Cllr. Caroline Dwane Stanley (IE) welcomed the mid-term review. “It is necessary and timely. The world around us is changing fast, geopolitically, economically, and socially, and the policy must adapt to these changes.

However, while adjusting to new realities, we should be careful not to drift too far from the core purpose of Cohesion Policy. It was designed to promote social and territorial cohesion, to reduce disparities between regions and ensure that no one is left behind. That goal remains as relevant as ever.  There should be no centralisation but keep the regional hold on planning, management and implementation of Cohesion policy.

On housing, we welcome the stronger focus. In many of our regions we face an acute lack of affordable housing. If the Commission wants to double the funding, we are ready to act. But rules must be clear, permitting simplified, and access straightforward for local authorities.”

The debate was followed by an outlook opinion by Mätta Ivarsson (SE/GREENS) on the forthcoming EU Oceans Pact. A key concern of the opinion is the funding gap affecting maritime activities in response it calls for the establishment of adequate financing for a just transition to a low-impact and regenerative maritime economy and effective protection and restoration of marine ecosystems and scientific research. The rapporteur, therefore, suggests that the Pact should contribute to facilitating the creation of innovative financing mechanisms and incentives to apply sustainable practices. Furthermore, it asks the CoR to consider tailored financing instruments in the next MFF that fit into the local socio-economic fabric.

Following the adoption of the outlook opinion, the plenary subsequently adopted an “urgent resolution on strengthening the territorial dimension in the implementation of the Industrial Action Plan for the European Automotive Sector” and an “urgent resolution on the Arrest of Turkish Mayors and the Assault on Local Democracy in Türkiye”.

The penultimate item on the agenda was a debate on a “Place-based approach to Competitiveness” with a statement from Enrico Letta, former Italian Prime Minister and author of the EU report on the future of the Single Market. Briefing members ahead of the debate, the CoR notes that in order to effectively address major economic and societal challenges, partnerships between the EU level, Member States, regions, cities, the private sector, and other involved stakeholders are essential. Such collaborations, they note, are key to strengthening the competitiveness of European industries, particularly as Europe transitions towards a low-carbon and circular economy, a critical factor in maintaining global competitiveness.

The CoR warns that against this backdrop, the notion of a place-based industrial policy to reinforce EU competitiveness and build a resilient and sustainable Europe is largely absent in the Competitiveness Compass. Furthermore, the CoR feel that the Competitiveness Compass does not sufficiently highlight that policies at different levels and should promote a stronger place-based green and digital dimension in industrial policy and also consider the territorial implications of the twin transitions in the energy intensive branches (such as the automotive industry, the chemical industry and cement and steel production).

Following the debate with Letta, the plenary adopted a draft urgent resolution on a competitive compass for the EU. This concluded the plenary session; the next session will take place on the 14^th and 15^th of May, once again in the Hemicycle.

This plenary session represented the final session before the summer break. The meeting was the first plenary for new Member Cllr Mick Cahill and alternate member Cllr Padraig McEvoy.

The session featured 2 debates and 10 opinions. Due to the transition period following the recent European elections, there were no MEPs in attendance meaning the only statements given in support of opinions or during debate came from Commissioners. Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojiechowski spoke during the debate on the future of CAP, subsequently Commissioners Elisa Ferreira and Iliana Ivanova spoke during the debate on improving EU support for regional research and innovation ecosystems, the role of the Regional Innovation Valleys.

Following the acceptance of minutes the plenary session began with the CoR’s various group leaders giving statements on the recent European election results, the ECR claimed that there is now clear evidence of a swing to the right, the EPP said that the centre is holding and the Greens warned of increasing amounts of misinformation and scaremongering.

Next on the agenda was Towards a Global Green Deal: harmonising global frameworks for climate change, biodiversity and sustainable development which was presented jointly by EPP and PES. The rapporteur, Rafał Kazimierz Trzaskowski (PL/EPP), noted that this opinion focuses on how we respond to the world us. He noted that there is sometimes a feeling, especially in local and regional government, that the current programme is too top down rather than bottom up, this he believes is leading to disenfranchisement as people feel they are being dictated to and shamed for not taking more action. The opinion promotes the power of the CoR to act as an intermediary between the EU and local and regional communities to implement the EU’s Green Deal.

Somewhat aptly this debate was followed by a debate on the Future of the Common Agricultural Policy. This debate focused on the progress of the reformed CAP, which entered force on the 1^st January 2023 along with its 10 specific objectives:

• ensure a fair income for farmers,
• increase competitiveness,
• improve the position of farmers in the food chain,
• climate change action,
• environmental care,
• preserve landscapes and biodiversity,
• support generational renewal,
• vibrant rural areas,
• protect food and health quality, and
• foster knowledge and innovation.

The Commissioner spoke about the importance of ensuring a fair wage is provided for each farmer. Furthermore, he noted that Europe has already had success lowering emissions and increasing productivity and we must now reinforce solidarity with farmers and the international community.

Speaking during the debate, Cllr. Aoife Breslin, noted that:

“ The evidence is clear, emissions must be cut across society, and comparatively those cuts must be higher in the agricultural sector if we are to meet our climate targets.

To this point CAP has demonstrated three things:

• that global food systems cannot be taken for granted,
• that climate and environmental considerations must be central to our thinking, and
• that we must be realistic about the capacity of our farmers and our administrations to manage and adjust to change.

But we also have to be realistic – CAP cannot do everything. Many environmental proposals, such as land restoration, require action and funding well beyond the scope and duration of a typical CAP framework in order to ensure a just transition.

The onus is on us as local and regional representatives to communicate to farmers what the CAP is capable of. Reassure farmers that they won’t be left to face these daunting challenges alone.

I am therefore calling for the EU to listen to our agricultural communities because if we fail to understand them, we will fail to meet the challenges presented by the climate crisis and that will be an indictment of us as a society not just farmers.”

The subsequent opinion attached to the debate was adopted by majority following a vote on over 150 amendments to the text.

The next item to be agreed was the Revision of the CoR Rules of Procedures. A key part of this debate was the inclusion of an amendment to the CoR Rules of Procedure ensuring gender equality rather than gender diversity. Furthermore, the plenary voted in support of an amendment ensuring that each Member States’ bureau delegation would be gender balanced.

This was followed by the aforementioned debate on Improving EU Support for Regional Research and Innovation Ecosystems – The Example of the Regional Innovation Valleys with Commissioner for Cohesion Elisa Ferreira and Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth Iliana Ivanova. During her opening statement Commissioner Ferreira announced that the Commission has identified 151 regions as Regional Innovation Valleys. She noted that this initiative will be supported with €116 million worth of funding under the European Innovation Ecosystems (EIE) programme of Horizon Europe, the EU research and innovation programme,  and the Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument of the European Regional Development Fund.

All three of Ireland’s regions were announced as Innovation Valleys.

Speaking during the debate, Cllr. Declan McDonnell said:

“Recognition of the North West of Ireland as a Regional Innovation Valley will greatly enhance our ability to coordinate research and innovation investment, and policies.

It will enable us to address regional challenges more effectively while maintaining a strong alignment with EU priorities.

Building on our national and regional Smart Specialisation Strategies, the Northern and Western Regional Assembly is well-positioned to work with leading innovators in our region to tackle specific local challenges through the development of deep-tech innovation.

By collaborating with our universities and key sectors such as Agrifood, Marine and Blue Economy, Tourism, Renewable Energy, Med Tech, and Advanced Manufacturing, we can significantly boost both regional and European competitiveness but also facilitate the implementation of the New European Innovation Agenda within our region.

Our goal is to address critical issues such as climate action, food security, circular economy, digital transformation, and healthcare improvements.”

This debate was followed by the two final opinions of the opening day, firstly Addressing Europe’s Medicine Shortages and later Soil Monitoring and Resilience, both were adopted by the plenary.

Day two of plenary featured five opinions and one debate. Beginning with the adoption of rapporteur Loredana Capone’s opinion – The role of local and regional authorities in the transition towards a circular economy. This opinion seeks to address the issues of biodiversity loss, resource use, climate change impact, and environmental risks to health and well-being which the rapporteur stresses is imperative for achieving sustainability. It was subsequently adopted.

The second opinion of the morning was Mark Speich’s (DE/EPP) opinion Active subsidiarity: a fundamental principle in the EU Better regulation agenda. Setting the context for this opinion the rapporteur stated that “The debate on EU decision-making and on the principle of subsidiarity is topical in view of the upcoming renewal of the institutional term of office and the EU’s strategic agenda”. The opinion’s recommendations would also contribute to the future debate on the revision of the EU Treaties, to the CoR’s position in a potential review of the interinstitutional agreement on better law-making and to the bilateral cooperation agreements with the Parliament and the Commission.

A central theme of the second day was sustainable water management, the topic was featured in one debate and two opinions which were both adopted. The context for the debate centred on the fact that in 2019, 29% of EU territory was affected by water stress for at least one season, and water scarcity is already forcing local and regional authorities (LRAs) to declare drought emergencies, fuelling tensions in local communities and cross-border regions. The CoR note the negative impact that droughts, floods and other extreme weather phenomena are having.

The first of the two final opinions of the plenary was Enhancing the European Administrative Space (ComPAct), which seeks to encourage and strengthen administrative cooperation between Member States. The second was EU roadmap to fight drug trafficking and organised crime. Both were adopted.

Following the adoption of the final opinions, President Vasco Cordeiro welcomed new members recently appointed to the CoR including Irish Member Cllr. Mick Cahill. Cllr. Cahill used the occasion to praise the Just Transition initiative, before noting that he welcomes the next phase of its roll-out and that he hopes that this phase will “look at where the real problems are in Ireland and to localise them”.

Coinciding with the 21^st edition of the European Week of Regions and Cities (EWRC), The Committee of the Regions (CoR) held its 157^th Plenary session between the 9^th and 11^th of October. The session marked the penultimate Plenary of the year and featured strong Irish engagement over the course the three-day session, including the presentation and adoption of Irish Delegation member Cllr. Dan Boyle’s opinion on the European Consumers’ Protection Package.

The formal opening of the EWRC coincided with the start of the CoR Plenary and featured contributions from President of the European Committee of the Regions’ Vasco Alves Cordeiro, Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms Elisa Ferreira, as well as Chair of the Committee on Regional Development of the European Parliament Younous Omarjee.

Day two began with statements on the on-going Israel/Palestine conflict. Following the statements, the Plenary session formally opened with a debate on a Health Union for Europe and its regions. This debate saw the first Irish intervention of the day when Cllr. Kate Feeney urged for a “Common [European] approach to mental health” and suggested that in order to achieve this “our cities and regions must be supported”.

Following the sessions opening debate there was a presentation of five opinions, including Irish Delegation Cllr. Dan Boyle’s European Consumers’ Protection Package. Cllr. Boyle’s opinion seeks to amend the European Commission’s proposals for a right to repair to include a local and regional perspective. The aim of the proposal is to ensure that consumers are empowered to make better informed decisions and play an active role in the ecological transition. Cllr. Boyle asserts in the opinion that granting consumers the right to repair would be instrumental in advancing Europe’s industrial transition and strengthening its resilience and open strategic autonomy.

The opinion was adopted with several amendments.

The afternoon saw several Irish Delegations interventions on the Plenary floor.

During the debate on “UNFCCC COP28: the role of subnational authorities in keeping climate ambition on track”, Cllr. Aoife Breslin intervened highlighting the value of clear and understandable language in discussions surrounding climate change, noting “there is an onus on us as local leaders to be concise and consistent in our language used when talking about the threat posed by climate change”.

Speaking during the debate on the “Review and proposal for the revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-2027”, Cllr. Kieran McCarthy urged that any revision to the MFF would ensure that “funds are more accessible” to local and regional authorities.

Following voting on the five opinions the Plenary was presented a draft resolution on the SDGs in EU regions and cities in the aftermath of the EU Voluntary Review and 2023 UN discussions. During this debate Head of Delegation Cllr. Michael Murphy welcomed the resolution noting that it will act as a “milestone for future work”.

The final Irish intervention of the day came from Cllr. Kieran McCarthy speaking on the opinion “Mentoring: A Powerful and Meaningful Tool for the Europe of Tomorrow”. During the debate Cllr. McCarthy highlighted the work done by the Cork Enterprise Office and their mentoring programme, noting that the programme benefits from EU ERDF funding.

Cllr. McCarthy also intervened during the opening debate of day three, on “The State of Regions and Cities”. Cllr. McCarthy used his intervention to make an impassioned call for Europe to work with its local and regional authorities.

The final Irish intervention of the Plenary session was delivered by Cllr. Una Power, who speaking during the debate on the reconstruction of Ukraine and in the context of the #InternationalDayOfTheGirl urged that “women are considered in the reconstruction of Ukraine and it’s cities”.

The final Plenary session of the year is due to take place on 28^th and 30^th of November.

The Committee of the Regions (CoR) held its 155^th plenary session on the 24^th and 25^th of May. The session marked the third plenary of the year and the penultimate meeting before the summer recess. The session featured six opinions and five debates including a debate and opinion on the mid-term review of the Multiannual Financial Framework.

Following President Vasco Alves Cordeiro’s formal opening of the two-day session, the plenary began with a debate on ‘Promoting equality, diversity and inclusion at local and regional level’ in the context of May being EU diversity month. This was followed by an opinion from Italian CoR Member Michele Pais on interoperability across the Union. Interoperability being Member States’ ability to share citizens information across borders to allow for better access to public services across the EU.

Following the aforementioned debate on the Midterm review of the Multiannual Financial Framework and the subsequent vote on the opinion, the plenary adjourned for the evening.

The second day opened with a debate on zero long-term unemployment. This debate took place in the context that despite recent improvement in trends on the European labour market, long-term unemployment rates are still 36.2% on average in the EU-27 in 2021, according to OECD figures, with rates per Member State varying between 20% and 60%.

Day two’s key debate was Cllr. Joke Schauvliege’s opinion on the legislative framework for sustainable food systems. The framework looks at the challenges of sustainable food systems while recognising the inextricable links between healthy people, healthy societies and a healthy planet. The strategy also looks to contribute to the EU’s efforts to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Given the broad scope of the opinion it led to a wide-ranging debate on the floor, with three of four amendments proposed by Irish delegation members, thus ensuring that human health is protected within the framework.

The plenary session finished with two EU Local Matters on water scarcity and implementing REPowerEU. Followed by a final debate on a more resilient, more inclusive and more democratic Europe.

The next plenary session will take place on the 5^th and 6^th of July.