It’s been a busy February in Brussels as the responsibilities of the 2010 Barroso Commission were shared out and the new Commission approved by Parliament.
We must now brace ourselves for an inundation of legislation as 27 new commissioners prepare to put their mark on the new portfolios.
The European Commission divides the workload departmentally, giving each member state control of a policy area. Each country’s commissioner nominee faced hearings prior to the vote in early February, allowing MEPs to challenge them over their objectives for the coming term.
Of particular interest to British MEPs was the hearing of the prospective commissioner for Social Affairs and Employment, Hungarian Laszlo Andor, who inherits the controversial Working Time Directive.
The 48-hour week has been a bone of contention between the UK and the EU for more than a decade. Britain currently opts out from the legislation, but Brussels’ intention to phase out exceptions since the Lisbon Treaty means the matter has returned.
The opt-out not only gives flexibility to workers and employers but protects the delivery of vital services. The chairwoman of the BMA’s Junior Doctor Committee, Dr Shree Datta, this week condemned the directive as responsible for the understaffing epidemic that has left hospitals struggling to cope.
But perhaps more alarming is the threat to the fire service, particularly in Wales. Two thirds of our cover is provided by retained firemen, who work full time in other professions but are on call for the fire service an average 168 hours per week. I’m in the process of holding meetings with representatives from medical profession, fire service, the business world and hospitality industry, all of whom fiercely oppose any changes.
The big story in Brussels at the moment is the ailing Greek economy and threat to the Eurozone. For many people bailing-out the debt ridden country is unacceptable. Member states are already battling their own deficits, including the UK, whose debt is not far off Greek proportions.
But what strikes me as ironic is there is already an ongoing process to level out wealth across the Union and govern member states more centrally. Bailing out Greece is but a drop in the ocean and a taste of what’s to come.
There is a construct in the media, no doubt fuelled by politicians, that more powers and laws equal better democracy. This is certainly the spin placed on everything by Brussels - but also has parallels with Welsh Assembly Members trying to convince us that more powers for them is good for Wales. Yet surely it works the other way round.
At a time when high schools are being shut and public services cut back in what is a necessary period of frugality, “Real” devolution would see power given back to the people and councils strengthened. I can’t see how 20 more seats in the Senedd and slashing council budgets could improve life in Wales. Cardiff and Brussels have a lot in common...