Law of the European Union

Law of the European Union is an accessible and modern introduction to the core foundations of EU law. This book provides a comprehensive course for students and those seeking to develop or refresh their understanding of EU law, with relevant Irish dimensions and connections highlighted throughout.

Written in a clear and direct style, each chapter offers a detailed treatment of a particular topic, explaining key principles and concepts and illustrating their development through significant case law. Extensive references assist in guiding research and further reading.

Part One outlines the historical development of the EU Treaties from their origins to the present day, including detail on Ireland’s accession and approach to the various amending treaties. The role and functions of the main EU institutions are explained in Part Two, while Part Three develops an understanding of the sources of EU law, EU competence, supremacy, direct effect and national procedural autonomy. The various legal remedies available as against Member States for failing to adhere to EU law, or the EU for breaching legal principles, are detailed in Part Four. Part Five deals with the Internal Market, the Customs Union and the free movement of goods, services and establishment. Citizenship and the free movement of persons are explained in Part Six, while Part Seven covers the free movement of capital and Economic and Monetary Union, with an emphasis on Irish perspectives of EMU.

Throughout this book, relevant Irish examples and practices are highlighted in order to illustrate the connections between Irish and EU law and display the significance of EU law in the everyday practice of Irish lawyers, officials and citizens.

PART ONE

Chapter 1: Origins of the European Union, 1944-1973

Chapter 2: Development of the EU Treaties, 1974-2003

Chapter 3: Treaty on European Union and Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union

PART TWO

Chapter 4: European Council

Chapter 5: Council of the European Union

Chapter 6: European Commission

Chapter 7: European Parliament

Chapter 8: Court of Justice of the European Union

PART THREE

Chapter 9: Competence

Chapter 10: Sources of Law

Chapter 11: Direct Effect of Primary EU Law

Chapter 12: Direct and Indirect Effect of Secondary EU Law

Chapter 13: Supremacy of EU Law

Chapter 14: Procedural Autonomy and Effective Judicial Protection

PART FOUR

Chapter 15: Enforcement Actions against Member States

Chapter 16: Actions against the EU

PART FIVE Chapter 17: Internal Market

Chapter 18: Customs Union and Common Commercial Policy

Chapter 19: Free Movement of Goods

Chapter 20: Defences to Restrictions on Free Movement of Goods

Chapter 21: Freedom to Provide and Receive Services

Chapter 22: Freedom of Establishment

PART SIX

Chapter 23: Free Movement of Workers

Chapter 24: EU Citizenship

PART SEVEN

Chapter 25: Free Movement of Capital

Chapter 26: Economic and Monetary Union