Research Papers 2011
Synopsis: Here you will find a list of Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister research papers published during 2011.
Subsidiarity Issue: Distribution of Food Products to the Most Deprived Persons in the Union
- Date: 23/11/2011 - Author: Tim Moore
This research paper provides background to and information on a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL amending Council Regulation (EC) No 1290/2005 and Council Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 as regards distribution of food products to the most deprived persons in the Union in order to support consideration of its compliance with the principle of subsidiarity.
Infrastructure Projects in the EU Peace and INTERREG Programmes
- Date: 09/11/2011 - Author: Michael Potter
This Briefing Note has been prepared to supplement the Research and Information Services Briefing Paper The EU PEACE and INTERREG Programmes in Northern Ireland. Where information is available, EU-funded projects are analysed according to whether funds were allocated for infrastructure or for activities where there are direct beneficiaries.
The EU PEACE and INTERREG Programmes in Northern Ireland
- Date: 20/10/2011 - Author: Michael Potter and Leigh Egerton
In terms of social cohesion, Peace and INTERREG funds are seen as key EU programmes for promoting social cohesion in Northern Ireland . The Committee for the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister plans to visit Brussels 26-27 October 2011 as part of its scrutiny role on EU matters. This paper summarises the impact of the EU Peace and INTERREG programmes in Northern Ireland to inform that visit.
Cohesion Policy 2014-2020
- Date: 20/10/2011 - Author: Tim Moore
This paper provides background to and information on the ‘new architecture for cohesion policy 2014-2020’ which was announced by the European Commission on 6th October 2011.
Presidency of the council of the European Union
- Date: 20/10/2011 - Author: Leigh Egerton and Tim Moore
This paper sets out the institutional position of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union and identifies some of the arguments that have been made for and against its ability to influence decisions. It also contains specific comment on Ireland’s previous presidencies.
The Common Agricultural Policy – background and challenges posed by reform.
- Date: 20/10/2011 - Author: Mark Allen
Agriculture remains a critical industry and employer in Northern Ireland with a labour force of 46,948 directly involved in agriculture. The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), has provided direct and indirect financial support to agriculture and the wider rural economy. The EU is currently committed to further and wide ranging reform of the CAP in 2013. This paper provides analysis of the background and challenges posed by this reform.
Emakunde: The Gender Equality Institution in the Basque Country
- Date: 13/10/2011 - Author: Michael Potter
In the context of the review of arms-length bodies Northern Ireland, equality and human rights institutions are under scrutiny . This paper builds on the review of equality arrangements by looking broadly at gender equality structures in Spain, focussing on the example of Emakunde in the Basque Country.
The EU ‘Horizontal Directive’
- Date: 13/10/2011 - Author: Michael Potter
Non-discrimination Directives have moved towards harmonisation so that the various grounds are protected equally. The latest of these equal treatment Directives is the proposed so-called ‘Horizontal Directive’, which proposes to equalise levels of protection across equality grounds. This paper examines the content and development of the proposed Directive.
Equality and Human Rights Bodies: Powers and Responsibilities
- Date: 13/10/2011 - Author: Michael Potter
This paper has been prepared in the context of the on-going reviews of arms-length bodies internally in the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister and at the cross-departmental level by the Budget Review Group . The Committee for the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister has expressed interest in the depth and detail of a review of equality and human rights bodies in Northern Ireland .
UK Bill of Rights Consultation
- Date: 13/10/2011 - Author: Michael Potter
In August 2011, the Commission on a Bill of Rights published a consultation paper ‘Do we need a UK Bill of Rights?’ , with a deadline for responses 11 November 2011. The Chair of the Commission wrote to the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to invite views regarding the consultation . This paper summarises the consultation paper and places it in the context of Northern Ireland.
