European Union

Members of the European Union:

The European Union consists of 28 countries, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,

Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands,
Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United
Kingdom and Croatia. Croatia is the latest country to have joined the European
Union (EU). Other countries seeking membership of the European Union
include; Turkey, Iceland and former Yogoslav Republic of Macedonia.

Other Trading Partners:

Trading partners are key to the European Unions (EU). Australia, Canada, China
etc. are key trading partners in the EU, others include Japan, Norway, Russia,
South Africa, Switzerland and the United States of America. Trade is important
in the European Union as it is the only way of getting certain products in, this
means that there has to be good friendships between leaders of countries e.g.
EU-China Friendship Garden.

Brexit:
In the last year the United Kingdom have had a referendum to leave the
European Union (EU). Majoirty of the over 60's in Britain voted out and it
meant that the young adults ranging from 18-40 years of age ended up having to
go with the majority vote even though they felt there opinion was key to the
vote, England voted strongly for Brexit, by 53.4% to 46.6%, as did Wales, with
Leave getting 52.5% of the vote and Remain 47.5%. Scotland and Northern
Ireland both backed staying in the EU. Scotland backed Remain by 62% to
38%, while 55.8% in Northern Ireland voted Remain and 44.2% Leave. Brexit
may be a huge downfall for countries for Ireland especially. The United
Kingdom and Ireland have a good friendship and this vote may put that at risk,
also exchange rates will presumbly rise above the normal.

Ireland and the European Union, Benefits:

Ireland joined the European Union (EU) in 1973, when it was known as the
European Economic Community (ECC). Around that there was only nine
countries in the ECC.

Benefits of the European Union

Irish firms can sell their products/services in a huge market and this has
increased their sales and profits.

Irish people are allowed to live and work in any of the other member
states.

Ireland has received large amounts of money in the form of grants from
the European Union. This money has been used to improve infastructure
(roads and rail), agricultural and education and to help businesses create
new jobs.

Many large international firms have located in Ireland because we are a

member of the European Union
The European Economic Community
(ECC)
What is the EU? The European Union is a politico-economic
union of 28 member states that are located primarily in Europe.
It has an area of 4,324,782 km, and an estimated population of
over 510 million.
The ECC was established after the aftermath of world war 2.
European leaders realised that they could not have their voices
heard on the world scale because 2 super powers had emerged
after world war 2- The USA and the USSR. This was also
supported to avoid another war and move towards peace.
The founding states of the EU are: Luxembourg, France,
Belgium, Italy, The Netherlands and West Germany. It was
known as the European Economic Community (ECC) in 1958
when it came into force on the 1st of Janurary. The Treaty of
Rome which all states signed to agree on the establishment of
the ECC was signed on the 25th of March 1957.
A conference was called in Messina, Southern Italy between all
members of the European Coal and Steel Community. All these
states were the founder of the ECC. They wanted to move not
just coal and steel but all goods between states. The task of
drawing up the agreement was given to Paul Henri- Spaak, a
Belgian.
The Aims of The European Economic Community
Were;
The establishment of a common market within the 6
nations. This meant that goods could come and go free
from taxes between member states.
To set up a European Social Fund in order to improve
economically disadvantaged areas in the community.
To allow workers to move freely within the community.
To develop a Common Agricutural Policy (CAP) to ensure a
fair standard of living for farmers.

The administration of the ECC/EU

The ECC was to function in a number of ways
1. The European Commission, the civil service of the ECC,
propsed new laws for the community.
2. The Council of Ministers: Each member state appoints one
minister to the council. The council of ministers has the
 power to accept or reject proposals from the ECC
Commission.
3. The European Parliment: represents the people of Europe.
Each country elects a number of members to the
parliment in proportion to the size of their population.

EU law
EU law is divided into 'primary' and 'secondary' legislation. The
treaties (primary legislation) are the basis or ground rules for all
EU action.
Secondary legislation which includes regulations, directives
and decisions are derived from the principles and objectives
set out in the treaties.
How EU decisions are made
The EUs standard decision-making procedure is known as
Ordinary Legislative Procedure (ex "codecision"). This means
that the directly elected European Parliament has to approve
EU legislation together with the Council (the governments of
the 28 EU countries). The Commission drafts and implements
EU legislation.
EU treaties
The European Union is based on the rule of law. This means
that every action taken by the EU is founded on treaties that
have been approved by all EU member countries by means of a
vote.
The Treaty of Lisbon increased the number of policy areas
where 'Ordinary Legislative Procedure' is used. The European
Parliament also has more power to block a proposal if it
disagrees with the Council.
Regulations, Directives and other acts
The aims set out in the EU treaties are achieved by several
types of legal act. These legislative acts include regulations,
directives, recommendations and opinions. Some are binding,
others are not. Some apply to all EU countries, others to just a
few.
Application of EU law
 EU law - which has equal force with national law - confers rights
and obligations on the authorities in each member country, as
well as individuals and businesses. The authorities in each
member country are responsible for implementing EU
legislation in national law and enforcing it correctly, and they
must guarantee citizens rights under these laws.
Find legislation
EU legislation takes the form of:
Treaties establishing the European Union and governing
the way it works
EU regulations, directives and decisions - with a direct or
indirect effect on EU member states.
Find case-law
EU case-law is made up of judgments from the European
Union's Court of Justice, which interpret EU legislation.