THE European Union's InterGovernmental Conference (IGC) has so far taken a cautious approach to reforming the Union's tortuous decision making procedures and institutions, according to a paper drawn up by the Italian presidency.
Reducing the size of the European Commission, effectively cutting the number of MEPs from each member state and abolishing the most complex decision making procedures, is among the proposals on the table so far. There is as yet no sign of agreement on radical changes, but the IGC is at a very early stage and may not complete its proceedings for another year.
The IGC, which began meeting on March 29th last, has the task of simplifying and reforming the European Union's structures to prepare for the accession of possibly a dozen new member states in the coming years.
The Italian presidency document summarises the discussions so far on reforms of the Union's institutions and decision making. The paper, which has been seen by The Irish Times, lists the basic issues discussed, the main arguments put forward and some initial suggestions as to compromises on sensitive issues.
The most important possible change from an Irish point of view relates to the membership of the European Commission. With enlargement of the Union over the next few years, some of the larger states believe that continuing to allow each country a Commission member will lead to an unwieldy body.
Some of the larger states have proposed that the Commission be limited to 10 members, with smaller states such as Ireland losing the automatic right to nominate a Commissioner.
The paper suggests that the principle that the Court of Justice must have at least one judge from each member state is likely to be retained.
With the prospect of the EU enlarging to close to 30 members over the next couple of decades, the European Parliament's labyrinthine decision making procedures badly need simplification.
The existing four procedures known as consultation, co-decision, co-operation and assent have evolved over the years as ever more complex mechanisms to find a balance between the powers of the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers.
According to the Italian document, the co-operation procedure could be abolished, and the remaining three mechanisms amended and simplified. Discussions of such amendments are at a very preliminary stage.
The idea that a ceiling of 700 be placed on the number of MEPs is generally accepted" at the IGC and supported by the parliament. It has 626 members now, so when new members join the EU the proposed ceiling would have the effect of reducing the number of MEPs from all member states, including Ireland.
The document says that it is "fairly generally held that an extension of qualified majority voting would make for greater efficiency in an enlarged Union". However, there is not yet majority support for any means to extend qualified majority voting.
