Taoiseach Welcomes European Commission President von der Leyen and College of Commissioners to Cork

The Taoiseach, Micheál Martin TD, will today, Thursday 2 July, welcome the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the College of Commissioners to Cork, along with his Government colleagues, as part of the Commission's official visit.

The Tánaiste, Simon Harris TD, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee TD, will also be in attendance.

The European Commission visits each country at the start of their Presidency to discuss the Presidency programme and deliverables for the six-month term in office. The Government published Ireland's Presidency programme and priorities last month, with a focus on the areas of competitiveness, values and security.

The meetings, held over two days, provide an opportunity for the Government and European Commission to exchange views on key priorities and strengthen cooperation on the legislative and policy agenda for the coming months. The visit will include a bilateral meeting between the Taoiseach and President von der Leyen, thematic meetings between Irish Ministers and European Commissioners, as well as a plenary session chaired by the Taoiseach and President von der Leyen.

During their visit, the Commission will visit Tyndall National Institute to hear from researchers about their work across a number of strategically significant fields, including semiconductors, advanced materials, and space.

Micheál Martin TD, Taoiseach:

"I'm delighted to welcome Commission President von der Leyen and the College of Commissioners to Cork.

The European Commission is a key partner and I look forward to working with President von der Leyen and the College of Commissioners to deliver our Presidency programme over the next six months.

Our discussions will include Ireland's work to progress the negotiations on the EU's next long-term budget. We will work towards reaching agreement by the end of the year.

Competitiveness will be an important focus for the Irish Presidency. Delivery of the One Europe One Market Roadmap objectives, agreed jointly with the Commission and the Parliament, is a priority for us.

We will drive work forward on simplifying rules, creating a more integrated Single Market, championing strong trade, reducing energy prices and decarbonising our economy; and driving the digital and AI transformation.

Our discussions will also include issues related to the founding values of the Union, including advancing the enlargement file during our Presidency.

When I met with President Zelenskyy earlier this week I reiterated that the Irish Presidency will stand by the people of Ukraine and ensure that they have the support they need will be an important part of our work.

We will also discuss international issues and I will raise Israel's persistent and egregious breaches of human rights and international law."

What is the College of Commissioners?

The College of Commissioners is the political leadership of the European Commission, comprising one Commissioner from each EU Member State and led by the Commission President. The visit is a longstanding tradition at the beginning of each rotating EU Presidency, and sees the Commissioners travel as one political body to a particular EU Member State.