The Eu

• The European Council (Council of Ministers)-Is made up of the leaders of the EU member states
• The European Parliament - Directly elected by European citizens
• The European Commission

  Proposes new legislation (makes proposals for new laws)
• European Commission -

  • Commissioners are responsible for day-to-day management of the EU.

  • Each member has a commissioner who is responsible for a particular area of EU policy, e.g. agriculture or transport.

  • A commissioner is similar to the role of a government minister in Ireland.

  Functions of the European Commission:

  • To propose new laws

  • Enforcing EU law

  • Managing EU budget
• European Parliament

  • Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are directly elected by EU citizens.

  • To represent Eu citizens and approve the Eu budget.
• The council of the European Union :

  The main functions of the EU Council are:

  • Goal setting and policy co-ordination

  • Passing legislation

  • Approving the EU budget

  • Signing international agreements
• Economic Benefits of EU Membership for Ireland

  • A single European market (SEM) allows free movement of goods, services, capital and citizens.
  • The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) funds Irish agriculture. - A common currency with 18 other countries reduces exchange rate risk.
• Social Benefits of EU Membership for Ireland

  • EU citizens can travel and work freely in member states and have reduced roaming costs for calls.
  • The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) provides healthcare access to Irish citizens travelling in the EU.
  • EU laws on workplace equality have ensured that men and women are entitled to equal pay for equal work.
• 1. Increase in taxes on exports. If there is an extra tariff added to the price such as excise duty, consumers in the UK may choose products from the UK which are similar to the Pure Confectionary Company products.

  2. The UK may introduce a quota on the amount of goods similar to those of the Pure Confectionary Company to prioritise the sale of homegrown products of a similar kind in the UK.