EEP Group

Jargonbuster

Published: Thu, 18 April 2013

Share this

Glossary of EU funding schemes in Ireland

ERDF pays for roads and the modernisation of infrastructure.

ESF finances the training, or retraining of long term unemployed, single parents, school drop-outs, etc., and helps create new jobs.

EAGGF pays for the upgrading of farms, machinery and farming techniques, and to improve the competitiveness of the agricultural sector.

FIFG support fishing industries and regions dependent on it with finance for ports, processing and marketing.

Interreg I, II and III support cross-border co-operation at Republic-Northern Ireland, trans-national and inter-regional levels.

Leader+ is for rural development and diversification of agricultural activities.

Equal aims to establish equality in the job market, particularly to help women and the disabled integrate successfully into the workplace.

Urban helps urban inner city areas in decline, and addresses the problems associated with social and economic exclusion in these areas.

Peace I and Peace II have operated since the IRA and UVF ceasefires announced in 1994. It funds cross-religion and cross-border projects that promote peace and reconciliation between the ex-warring communities of Northern Ireland.

 

Jargon Buster – the Single Market

The Single Market is one of the great achievements of the European Union. It allows us to move, live, work and trade freely across a Union of 28 member states and 503 million people.
Many of the tragedies of Irish history can be linked protectionism which discriminated either directly or indirectly against Irish people, Irish goods and services.
The infamous Corn Laws of the 19th Century set up a barrier against non-UK corn entering the UK market.
This drove up the cost of domestic corn, driving up food prices and creating a greater dependency on the potato, which led to the Great Famine.
The Economic War of 1934-38 saw Irish agriculture ruined by wrong-headed and self-destructive economic nationalism by both the British and Irish Governments.
The EU Single Market prevents these types of wrong-headed policies from ruining ordinary peoples’ chances in life by guaranteeing the freedom of movement of people, goods, services and capital.
It allows us to travel freely to other parts of Europe, it provides our businesses with the opportunity to sell Irish products and services to 503 million people without fear or favour from other governments.
It has permitted Ireland to be a hub for multinationals which are keeping our economy afloat despite the implosion of our banks and their friends, the developers.
The Single Market is therefore a silent triumph of the European project. We have guaranteed access to a market of 503 million people.
Without it, we would be set adrift, a small island in an increasingly hostile and competitive world economy.

Jargon Buster: European Ombudsman

The European Ombudsman investigates complaints about maladministration in the institutions and bodies of the European Union. The Ombudsman is completely independent and impartial. The current Ombudsman is Ms. Emily O´Reilly, from Ireland, who took office on 3 July 2013.
The Ombudsman usually conducts inquiries on the basis of complaints but can also launch inquiries on her own initiative.
The Ombudsman may simply need to inform the institution concerned about a complaint in order for it to resolve the problem. If the case is not resolved satisfactorily during the course of her inquiries, the Ombudsman will try, if possible, to find a friendly solution which puts right the case of maladministration and satisfies the complainant. If the attempt at conciliation fails, the Ombudsman can make recommendations to solve the case. If the institution does not accept his recommendations, she can make a special report to the European Parliament
If you are a citizen of a Member State of the Union or reside in a Member State, you can make a complaint to the European Ombudsman. Businesses, associations or other bodies with a registered office in the Union may also complain to the Ombudsman.
Complaints can be lodged by post, fax or e-mail. A complaint guide and form is available from the Ombudsman’s office and can be downloaded from the Ombudsman’s website:

http://www.ombudsman.europa.eu

 

 

We use cookies to improve our website and your experience when using it. Cookies used for the essential operation of this site have already been set. To find out more about the cookies we use and how to delete them, see our privacy policy.