Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 26 June 2024

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs

EU Funding of Development Sector and its Role in International Development: Discussion

10:00 am

Ms Jane-Ann McKenna:

I think the Cathaoirleach, Deputy Brophy, for his words. The key message - I will ask others if they would like to say a few words to wrap up also - is, as the Cathaoirleach mentioned, around using our leverage where we have it. It is great to see that Deputy Michael McGrath will be going to the Commission and we have new MEPs on the ground. We will have a visit next week from Commissioner Urpilainen, who will be coming to Dublin. There are significant opportunities already to start influencing and scaling up how we can mobilise and ensure that our values are reflected in the foreign policy of Europe.

As Ms Wigens mentioned, there are other allies in Europe and we need to be strategic in how we are positioning ourselves and gathering other member states who have the same values as we do and ensuring that we are putting that on the table and pushing back some of the agendas that are being set at the moment. I will hand over to my colleagues to add some parting words.

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