Young Fine Gael launch European Campaign

Yesterday (Sunday), at the European Commission in Brussels, Young Fine Gael (YFG) officially launched their campaign to secure a senior seat (Deputy Secretary General) on the board of Europe's largest and most influential political youth organisation - The Youth of the European People's Party (YEPP), at the upcoming YEPP Congress.

YFG's International Secretary, Colm Lauder, said he was "delighted with the opportunity" to run for one of the most significant youth political positions in Europe. He stressed "it is crucial for Ireland to have a strong and competent voice within Europe's most powerful political youth organisation. We are facing a challenging negotiating period with our European colleagues through this difficult fiscal environment and need to be well placed to ensure Ireland's interests are fought for at every European level."

YFG's President, Eric Keane, who was also present in Brussels, noted "winning a seat on the YEPP board will be of enormous benefit to Ireland. It will give unprecedented access to leading politicians from the cabinets of Sarkozy to Markel to Burlosconi - crucial for securing and defending Ireland's interests" Previous Irish board members include the Minister for Transport, Dr. Leo Varadkar and Minister for EU Affairs, Lucinda Creighton.

In recent years, YFG's International Committee has successfully negotiated and achieved full European support on issues as wide-ranging as the protection of the right to display Christian symbols in public buildings to developing a EU-wide response the Basel III banking regulations. Mr. Lauder will present his proposals and critique (unanimously adopted as policy by YEPP) on Basel III to European Ministers & MEPs at the EPP Political Bureau on 4th May in Brussels.

The YEPP Congress will take place between 12-15th May in Berlin and will be hosted by the German Chancellor, Dr. Angela Merkel and Finance Minister Wolfgang Straabe.

Notes:

The Youth of the European People's Party (YEPP) is the youth wing of the European People's Party. YEPP comprises of over 40 centre-right political parties from across Europe of which YFG is a founding member. The Taoiseach, Mr. Enda Kenny TD, who also serves as Vice-President of the EPP, has fully endorsed Mr. Lauder's candidature.

ENDS\

Contact:

Young Fine Gael, 51 Upper Mount Street, Dublin 2.

Eric Keane +353 87 944 1514

Colm Lauder +44 7787 444960

(L-R) Colm Lauder (International Secretary), Sara Eskola (KNL-Finland) & Eric Keane (YFG President) at Berlaymont. PHOTO: Elia Elenius