EU institutions

This page highlights some of the current parliamentary material available on European Union institutions. This includes select committee reports, briefing papers on current legislation and other subjects produced by the parliamentary research services, and the latest Early Day Motions put down by MPs.

Standard Notes

DateDescription
26.02.2013European Union (Approvals) Bill [HL] 2012-13: Committee Stage Report
The European Union (Approvals) Bill [HL] 2012-13 seeks to approve three EU draft decisions before the UK Government can approve their adoption in the EU Council.
29.01.2013EU Staff Salaries
EU staff salaries have been the subject of some criticism in recent months. This Note pulls together the various strands in the EU staff salaries debate.
20.12.2012European banking union
This note brings together the main documents relevant to the debate on November 6th 2012 on proposals for a new, unified system of banking supervision proposed by the European Commission.
24.10.2012The eurozone crisis: action taken by the European Central Bank (ECB)
This note discusses some of the 'unconventional' measures taken by the ECB in response to the euro crisis and the political controversy they have generated.
09.05.2012European Union Current Information
European Union Current Information. By Julia Keddie. SN/IA/2034.

Research Papers

DateDescription
31.01.2013European Union (Approvals) Bill
The European Union (Approvals) Bill (HC Bill 121) aims to approve two draft EU Council decisions and one draft decision of the European Council (the EU Heads of State and Government).
01.11.2012European Union (Croatian Accession and Irish Protocol) Bill [Bill 76 of 2012-13]
Croatia is expected to join the EU in July 2013. This Bill would allow the UK to ratify Croatia's accession treaty and would also cover the Protocol to the Lisbon Treaty put forward by the Irish Government.
27.03.2012The Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union: political issues
This paper looks at the background to the TSCG, the reasons for the UK's non-participation and some of the issues it raises, such as its effectiveness, its relationship with the EU Treaties and EU law, the use of the EU institutions in a non-EU treaty, and whether it could give rise to a 'two-speed' Europe and further UK isolation in the EU.
30.07.2008The Treaty of Lisbon: an uncertain future
On 12 June 2008 the Republic or Ireland voted against ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon, throwing the EU into uncertain waters once again. Although most Member States, including the UK, have continued with the ratification processes, the future of the Lisbon Treaty remains uncertain.
24.01.2008The Treaty of Lisbon: amendments to the Treaty on European Union

Select Committee Reports

DateDescription
29.03.2011Workload of the Court of Justice of the European Union.
European Union Select Committee (HL) report [Lords]
14.12.2010Annual report 2010.
European Union Select Committee (HL) report [Lords]
14.12.2010Government and Commission responses for session 2009-2010.
Government response. European Union Select Committee (HL) report [Lords]
06.04.2010Government and Commission Responses: Session 2008-09.
Government response. European Union Select Committee (HL) report [Lords]
12.01.2010Correspondence with Ministers November 2007 to April 2008.
European Union Select Committee (HL) report [Lords]

Early Day Motions

DateDescription
20.06.2011SPENDING BY EU COMMISSIONERS ON LUXURY ITEMS
That this House is appalled by the result of the research conducted by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism which has revealed that more than 7.5 million euros was spent on private ...
20.10.2010EUROPEAN COMPETENCES
That this House notes that there are increasing demands from France and Germany for a new European Union Treaty; further notes that theEuropean Parliament itself has now proposed a ...
20.10.2010EUROPEAN HEALTH INSURANCE CARDS
That this House notes that the Government provides EU Health Insurance cards free of charge, despite not being required so to do by European social security regulations 883/2004 and ...
23.06.2010FREEDOM OF INFORMATION IN THE EU
That this House believes that all levels of government should be underpinned by the principle of good governance; notes the importance that transparency brings to public accountability ...
02.12.2009LISBON TREATY REFERENDUM
That this House notes that the Lisbon Treaty has been ratified by all EU member states; is disappointed that the United Kingdom was promised a referendum but that promise was broken; ...

Lords Library Notes

DateDescription
12.12.2012Debate on 17 December: European Union (Croatian Accession and Irish Protocol) Bill (HL Bill 59) and European Union (Approvals) Bill [HL] (HL Bill 57)
This Library Note provides background information in advance of the second readings in the House of Lords of the European Union (Croatian Accession and Irish Protocol) Bill and the European Union (Approvals) Bill.

Glossary

  • Research Papers (RP) - briefings produced by the House of Commons Library on Bills, topical issues and regular statistics
  • Standard Notes (SN) - shorter, topical briefings from the Commons Library
  • Early Day Motions (EDMs) - formal motions submitted by MPs in the House of Commons
  • POST Notes - short briefing notes produced by the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology
  • Lords Library Notes (LLN) - an occasional series of papers compiled by the House of Lords Library