Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

80. To ask the Minister for Finance if he has spoken formally with his Swedish counterpart in the past six months outside of EU Council meetings. [38187/21]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I have not had a formal bilateral meeting with my Swedish counterpart, Magdalena Andersson, in recent months. Both Minister Andersson and I participate in monthly ECOFIN meetings, with the Finance Ministers of all 27 EU Member States, where there are group discussions. In addition, in my capacity as President of the Eurogroup, I occasionally chair meetings of Eurogroup in inclusive format, which includes non-euro area Member States such as Sweden. The latest such inclusive Eurogroup meeting took place on 12 July. As part of my regular pre-meeting engagement with Eurogroup colleagues, I have had bilateral calls with Minister Andersson, most recently in June of this year, to discuss the Eurogroup’s work and meeting agendas.

Separately, Ireland and a number of other Member States meet informally from time to time as part of the so-called Northern/Baltic Group, of which Sweden is also a member. This format provides a valuable opportunity to regularly discuss and share views on key policy issues and economic developments in the EU with like-minded Member States.

Minister Andersson has been reappointed to her position as Finance Minister under the recently approved Swedish Government and I look forward to continuing my close cooperation with her.