Which part of the EU?

johnnyskeleton

It's not really clear from their website http://www.talktoeu.ie/

Which part of the EU do we "talk to"? There hundreds of EU agencies with different functions, the Commission, the Parliament, the ECJ and the Council of Ministers. Which of these are answering the questions?

My name is URL

I think it's the Commission. Ruth Deasy is named on the Whois for the domain.

Coyler

Its right there on the sight;

talktoeu is a programme funded by the European Commission Representation in Ireland,

which is taken from its "about us" section.

TalkToEU: John

Hi all.
From the about section.

talktoeu is a programme funded by the European Commission Representation in Ireland, which aims to engage Irish citizens, and let them know what the EU does, and can do for them. Talktoeu also gives you a chance to give your opinions and views. Listening to your needs is essential when coming up with new policies.

Phase two of talktoeu will focuses on three main areas : Economy and jobs, energy and the environment, and the implementation of the Lisbon Treaty. As well as this, we will also explain a bit about how the EU works.
To achieve these goals, the talktoeu campaign uses online and social media to reach its audience so you can see what’s happening in your own time whenever you want and as easily as possible.

The website, where you are now, will give facts and links on the EU, especially about our three main areas of focus. We want you to ask questions, take part in discussion, and find out more about the role the EU plays both nationally and in your area.

More info on the European Commission Representation in Ireland.

View

TalkToEU: John wrote: »

Hi all.
From the about section.

More info on the European Commission Representation in Ireland.

Just to be pedantic John. Does this mean you are directly employed by the EC? Or by another company/body running a programme which is seperate from but funded by the EC?

TalkToEU: John

View wrote: »

Just to be pedantic John. Does this mean you are directly employed by the EC? Or by another company/body running a programme which is seperate from but funded by the EC?

No probs

Talktoeu is funded by the EC, but maintained by a publicly tendered Irish company who operate under the guidance, supervision, and support of the European Commission Representation Ireland.

BetterLisbon

A simple question for you John is talktoEU only going to talk about the advantages of EU membership & various Eu initiatives/treaties etc. While a strong eurosceptic I do adknowledge the benfits of membership, does talktoEU adknowledge the disadvantages of membership such as the cost of overregulation etc.

oscarBravo

As has been pointed out already, Talk to EU is here to answer factual questions about the EU. If you have a factual question about the EU, feel free to ask it. Please refrain from trying to engage John in subjective debates about the merits or otherwise of the EU; it's not why he's here.

BetterLisbon

oscarBravo wrote: »

As has been pointed out already, Talk to EU is here to answer factual questions about the EU. If you have a factual question about the EU, feel free to ask it. Please refrain from trying to engage John in subjective debates about the merits or otherwise of the EU; it's not why he's here.

Au contraire its a perfectly fair question. If this is an EU funded initiative it is perfectly reasonable to ask whether or not its going to be a cheerleading exercise. It would be like a journalist funded by manchester united offering an "objective and factual" analysis of this years champions league or premiership. so is john prepared to talk about the bad bits as much as the good bits. Is john prepared to give us the total unvouched expenses claimed by MEP's for example?

oscarBravo

BetterLisbon wrote: »

Au contraire its a perfectly fair question.

No, it's not. You're asking someone who has been invited here to answer factual questions about the EU to debate subjective questions with you.

If this is an EU funded initiative it is perfectly reasonable to ask whether or not its going to be a cheerleading exercise.

Answering factual questions isn't "cheerleading", unless you're going to try to claim that citizensinformation.ie is a chearleading exercise for the Irish state.

It would be like a journalist funded by manchester united offering an "objective and factual" analysis of this years champions league or premiership. so is john prepared to talk about the bad bits as much as the good bits.

John isn't a journalist, so no: it's nothing like that.

Is john prepared to give us the total unvouched expenses claimed by MEP's for example?

That's a factual question. I don't see why he wouldn't, if he has that information available.

In case you've somehow managed to miss the fact that I'm posting this with my moderator hat on, I'm not inviting a discussion on this. If you persist in trying to engage Talk to EU in debate, I'll remove your access from the forum.

View

[QUOTE=oscarBravo;69086512Answering factual questions isn't "cheerleading", unless you're going to try to claim that citizensinformation.ie is a chearleading exercise for the Irish state.[/QUOTE]

I guess there might be an ardent Irish (i.e. RoI Irish) Unionist out that who regards Citizensinformation.ie as propaganda for the Republic.

TalkToEU: John

BetterLisbon wrote: »

Au contraire its a perfectly fair question. If this is an EU funded initiative it is perfectly reasonable to ask whether or not its going to be a cheerleading exercise. It would be like a journalist funded by manchester united offering an "objective and factual" analysis of this years champions league or premiership. so is john prepared to talk about the bad bits as much as the good bits. Is john prepared to give us the total unvouched expenses claimed by MEP's for example?

Hi BetterLisbon,

I'll have to contact some people in the European Parliament Offices in Dublin to get an answer to this question and will try to come back with an answer next week.

BetterLisbon

TalkToEU: John wrote: »

Hi BetterLisbon,

I'll have to contact some people in the European Parliament Offices in Dublin to get an answer to this question and will try to come back with an answer next week.

Ok John I want to know the following as an EU taxpayer:
1- The total expenses claimed by MEP's for the 2004-2009 parliamentary term.
2- The total unvouched expenses claimed by MEP's for the 2004-2009 parliamentary term.
3- The expenses claimed by Irish MEP's for the 2004-2009 parliamentary term.
4- The unvouched expenses claimed by Irish MEP's for the 2004-2009 parliamentary term.
5- The total expenses claimed by EP staff for the 2004-2009 term.
6- The total unvouched expenses claimed by EP staff for the 2004-2009 term.

I wait in keen anticipation!

TalkToEU: John

Hi BetterLisbon,

Apologies in the delay

Unfortunately the information you're looking for is unavailable to me and the general public. Nor are the EU institutions open to FOI requests.
Some MEPs have published their expenses voluntarily, but it is not mandatory for them to do so.
Examples are Proinsias DeRossa & Mary Lou MacDonald.

To find out further information on individual MEP personal expenses and allowances, you can try contacting them yourself. Contact information.

For information on what salaries and expenses MEPs are entitled to, you can read more in the following.
Salaries
Staff expenses
Allowances

Also, since the beginning of 2009, MEPs, and how their role, are defined in these statutes.