European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is an advisory body of the European Union set up by the Rome Treaties in 1957. The European Policy and Co-ordination Unit is responsible for administering the nomination procedure to select Northern Ireland’s representatives and provides support to these delegates.
What are the goals of the EESC?
The EESC’s main task is to advise Parliament, Council and Commission on economic and social aspects of policy and legislation. The Committee aims to bring Europe closer to its citizens and to make the European Union’s decision-making process more transparent.
Why is the EESC important?
The EESC must be consulted before legislation can be passed on a number of policy areas stipulated in the Treaties; including agriculture, employment, social issues, transport, education, consumer protection, health, structural funds and equal opportunities. Additionally it can produce own-initiative reports and exploratory opinions for the EU Institutions on legislation or may be asked to do so by the institutions.
How do we fit into the EESC?
The EESC has 344 members, split into three groups:
- Group I: Employers
- Group II: Workers
- Group III: "Other interests”, (for example, craftsmen, farmers, minority rights and academics).
Members from various backgrounds are selected according to their technical expertise and ability to represent diverse social and economic groups in the UK. Northern Ireland has two seats on the UK delegation, comprised of 24 members.
The EESC’s Sections
EESC members divide themselves up into sections, according to the area of work in which members wish to specialise – rather as MPs may choose parliamentary committees. The EESC’s sections at present are:
- Economic and Monetary Union and Economic and Social Cohesion Unit (ECO)
- Single Market, Production and Consumption Unit (INT)
- Single Market Observatory (SMO)
- Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and the Information Society Unit (TEN)
- Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship Unit (SOC)
- Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment Unit (NAT)
- External Relations Unit (REX)
- Industrial Change(CCMI)
Who represents us?
Northern Ireland’s current members are:
Jane Morrice
Occupation: Communications Consultant- Director, Photographic and Media Production Company; former member of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Deputy Speaker; former Head of the European Commission Office Northern Ireland, former BBC correspondent
Group: III (Other Interests)
Sections: Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship Unit (SOC) and Transport, Energy, infrastructure and the Information Society Unit (TEN)
Particular Interests: Communications Policy and Road Safety
Michael Smyth
Occupation: Economist-University of Ulster, Belfast; Economic Advisor to the Northern Ireland Assembly
Group: III (Other Interests)
Sections: Single Market, Production and Consumption (INT) and Economic and Monetary Union and Economic and Social Cohesion (ECO)
Mike Smyth was the rapporteur for two EESC Opinions on the Baltic Sea Strategy. Links to these opinions are as follows:
Jane Morrice completed an Opinion for the Committee exploring the role of the European Union in the Peace Process in Northern Ireland. Ms Morrice was rapporteur. Ms Morrice and Mr Smyth hosted an evidence gathering session on this subject in Belfast on 28 April 2008. The Opinion is due to be completed in Autumn 2008. Read more about the opinion in the Archive section.
At its 448th plenary session held on 22 and 23 October 2008, the EESC adopted the opinion ‘The Role of the EU in the Northern Ireland Peace Process’. Read more about the Opinion
Who is responsible for the UK delegation?
Most EU countries have a national Economic and Social Committee which acts as an anchor for their EESC delegation. The UK has never had such an institution and responsibility for dealing with the EESC delegation and related matters rests with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, supported by the Cabinet Office and the Department of Trade and Industry.
Further information on the committee’s work and members may be found on the European Economic and Social Committee website 
