The Record: Europe

13 December edition
Simon Vaughan
Producer

This week on the Record Europe: Are the EU's plans for reform and closer integration back on track?

Ireland to hold new referendum

After the Irish people voted "No" in June to the Lisbon reform treaty, the Irish government has told the summit of EU leaders in Brussels that it is ready to hold a second referendum on the proposals.

If ratified by all 27 member states, Lisbon would give the EU a full time presidency, a beefed-up foreign policy chief, a diplomatic service, more power for the European Parliament, and it would abolish the national veto in some policy areas.

Discussing the issues with Shirin Wheeler this week are:

• Jo Leinen MEP, a German social democrat

• Graham Watson MEP, the leader of the European liberals and democrats

• Derek Clark MEP of the UK Independence Party

• Finnish Foreign Secretary, Alexander Stubb

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The discussion in full

Rear Admiral Phillip Jones interview

Also on the programme

The BBC's European Affairs Editor, Oana Lungescu, talks to the first British commander of an EU defence mission to fight piracy off the East African coast, Rear Admiral Phillip Jones.

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The Record: Europe examines the key moments in the political week in Brussels and Strasbourg and focuses on the work of the European Parliament and European Commission.

It is broadcast on BBC Parliament on Saturdays at 2300 GMT, Sundays at 1700 GMT and Mondays at 1000 GMT, on BBC World on Saturdays at 1330 GMT and Sundays at 0630 GMT and on the BBC News channel on Sundays at 0530 GMT and Mondays at 0330 GMT.

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Presenter profile

Shirin Wheeler

Shirin Wheeler presents the weekly EU politics programme The Record: Europe from Brussels and Strasbourg.

She is based in the BBC's Brussels bureau. She was born in Berlin and educated in Washington DC, Brussels and Britain.

Shirin has been in Brussels since 1996, working mainly with BBC TV and radio.

During her time in Belgium she has also reported for BBC business programmes, local radio and regional TV. She has two daughters.