Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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89. To ask the Taoiseach the role of his Department in leading Ireland's participation in the annual European semester process. [9517/19]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The annual European Semester cycle is the framework to enhance economic and fiscal policy coordination at EU Level. As part of the Semester programme, Member States submit a National Reform Programme (NRP) to the European Commission by mid-April each year. This report covers progress in response to the country-specific recommendations received in the previous year’s semester, as well as national progress towards the Europe 2020 targets. It also provides an opportunity to highlight national efforts to respond to the challenges identified in the annual Country Report.

My Department ensures a co-ordinated approach across Government, and in engagement with the European Commission, on the European Semester, including the preparation of Ireland’s National Reform Programme and supporting the formal engagement between the Commission and Government on the Semester.