European Union Flashcards
What is the EU
The EU is a trading bloc of 27 countries in Europe.
These countries are called member states.
The EU is a single market, meaning there is free trade between all member states.
Member states have ‘pooled sovereignty’ which means that they have delegated some of their decision making powers to the shared institutions they have created.
Name six EU institutions
The European Commission The European Parliament The Council of the European Union The European Court of Auditors The Court of Justice The European Council
Explain what the european commission is
Upholds the interests of the EU as a whole
Manages the day-to-day business of implementing EU policies and the spending of EU funds.
Made up of EU Commissioners- Each commissioner is responsible for a different area e.g transport.
Give four functions of the european commission
To propose new European laws
To enforce EU laws
To draft the EU budget
To represent the EU internationally
What is the european parliament
Directly elected by the citizens of the EU
Elections are held every 5 years
The number of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) for each country is roughly in proportion to its population
MEPs represent each country’s interests in discussion with other EU institution
Give three functions of the european parliament
To debate and approve new European laws
To supervise the EU
To approve the EU budget
What is the council of the european union
Most important decision making body in the EU.
National ministers from each EU country meet to adopt laws and coordinate policies.
Example: if discussing finance issues, each country will send their Minister for Finance.
Decisions are taken by a qualified majority.
Votes are directly related to the size of the country’s population.
Name four functions of the council of the european union
To pass European Laws
To approve the EU budget
To Coordinate policies
To cooperate on foreign and defence policy
What is the european court of auditors
An independent external audit institution of the EU.
Ensures the Union’s income, expenditure and financial management is sound.
Aim is to improve the management of EU funds in the interest of the citizens
Give three functions of the european court of auditors
Audits countries / EU organisations
Presents an annual report (‘annual discharge’)
Advises on new / revised EU regulations
What is the court of justice of the EU
Ensures EU laws are applied the same way in all EU countries.
Court is made up of one judge from each EU country.
Give three functions of the court of justice
Advised national courts
Ensures EU law is obeyed
Strike down illegal EU laws
Explain what the European Council is
A meeting of the heads of state of every EU country.
They set the goals and priorities for the EU.
Meets 4 times per year in Brussels
Works to resolve complex issues that have not been sorted by lower level officials
Has no powers to pass law
Describe the decision making process of EU
1: European Commission initiates legislation - thinks up new laws - correspond to most concerning needs
2: First reading proposed law in EU Parliament
3: Council of the EU examines EU Parliament wording of proposed law
4: Second reading by EU Parliament
5: If the law is approved at the second reading, it becomes an EU law.
6: If law is not approved, Conciliation Committee, tries to find a solution and draws up a joint text that can be agreed upon.
7: Joint text goes before the Parliament and Council of EU for third reading. If agreed upon, text becomes law. If not agreed upon, it does not become law
Explain what are interest groups
Interest groups are organisations of people who come together to fight for a common goal.
The main aim of interest groups is to lobby and put pressure on EU decision makers in order to achieve their aims.
Try to influence the EU decision making process
Examples: Irish Farmers Association (IFA); Amnesty International
Explain what will interest groups do to achieve their aims
Lobby MEPs- try to persuade them to vote a certain way. send petitions to parliament about an issue to put pressure on them to act
Lobby the European Commission and individual commissioners - commission has to be aware of problems that need to be solved. They meet commissioners and make them aware of issues. Sometimes initiate ideas that become laws
Set up an office in Brussels- can easily access decision makers in EU ensures voices are heard
Explain what an EU directive is
An EU Directive is a law that all member states must obey.
It sets out a desired result that each country must achieve by a given date.
Member states must take action to change their own national law to implement the directive and must have it achieved by the deadline
Example: The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE)
Explain what an EU regulation is
A regulation is another EU law that all EU countries must obey.
It is the most direct form of EU law.
It comes into force immediately and must be obeyed by all as soon as it is passed.
Member state has no power to apply only parts of it that it approves of
EU regulation takes precedence over national law.
Example: The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
Explain EU policies
EU policies are major programmes that are designed to help specific categories of people in the EU.
Example: Common Agricultural Policy (EU farmers); Common Fisheries Policy (EU fishing industry)
Name six EU policies
Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) EU Social Charter Competition Policy Single European Market (SEM) Monetary Union - The Euro
What does CAP stand for
Common agricultural policy
What is CAP
The CAP aims to give EU farmers a decent standard of living.
Explain the main functions of the CAP
No trade barriers Single payment scheme Promoting innovation Import duties Emergency payments
What is the CFP
The CFP aims to give those working in the EU fishing industry a decent standard of living and conserve fishing stocks.
What does CFP stand for
Common fisheries policies
What are the main functions of the CFP
Fixed pricing Provides grants Marketing campaigns Quotas Regulation of nets Crackdown on illegal fishing
What is the EU social charter
The EU Social Charter aims to improve working and living conditions for all EU citizens.
What are the main features of the EU social Charter
Freedom of movement
Minimum wage
Max. 48 hour working week
Right to be consulted and be involved in decision making
What is the Eu competition Policy
The EU Competition Policy is a set of rules intended to ensure free and fair competition between businesses in the EU. Ensures consumers get quality goods and reasonable prices
What are the functions of the Eu competition policy
Illegal to form cartels
Dominant businesses cannot abuse their power
State-owned enterprises cannot enjoy a monopoly position
Prohibits mergers and takeovers
What is the EU SEM - Single European Market
The SEM (part of the Economic and Monetary Union) makes the EU the world’s largest free trade area.
There are no barriers to trade between EU countries.
There is free movement of goods, labour and capital throughout the EU
Sell products, workers can live and work, EU citizens and businesses can invest their money anywhere in EU
What is the significance of SEM for Ireland
Wider markets EU government contracts Easier trading Attracts transnational / multinational companies Free movement of capital
What is the challenges of SEM
Greater competition
Shortage of workers
Loss of possible government contracts
Explain what is the monetary union
The Monetary Union (part of the EMU) involved establishing one single currency (the euro) for some countries in the EU.
The European Central Bank (ECB) manages the euro currency and the EU’s monetary policy.
There are 19 EU countries that use the euro
What are the advantages of the euro
It reduces businesses costs Lower interest rates Price stability Increases trade between eurozone countries Greater transparency in prices
What are the advantages of euro
Ireland has little economic control
Increased competition
UK does not use the euro
