Written answers

Thursday, 30 September 2021

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

European Union

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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208. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which he continues to influence the institutions throughout the European Union with a view to ensuring compliance with the European project. [45170/21]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland's priorities for the Future of Europe are closely aligned with the delivery of the EU Strategic Agenda as agreed at the June 2019 European Council and as most recently set out by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in her State of the Union Address to the European Parliament on 15th September last.

These priorities include: the European Green Deal, a Europe fit for the Digital age; an Economy that works for People, a stronger Europe in the World, promoting our European way of Life and a new Push for European Democracy.

The Conference on the Future of Europe provides an opportunity for us all to consider the challenges we face and ensure that new policies and strategies reflect the needs and concerns of all citizens across the European Union. All citizens can and should use their voice and have their say as part of the Conference process by attending events or submitting their ideas to the online digital platform created for the Conference. I am also pleased that Dublin has been selected as a host city for one of the four European Citizens’ Panels which will take place in early December.

A key strategic priority of this Government is to maintain engagement with the EU Institutions. Since March 2020, much of this has been conducted on a virtual basis. As society re-opens, it is the intention across Government that Ministers re-engage with Ministerial counterparts in other Member States and with the EU Institutions, most notably but not exclusively with, the European Commission and the European Parliament. The implementation of the Government’s “A Career for EU Strategy” is also a key priority. The strategy aims to increase the number of Irish people working for the EU Institutions and agencies in order that Irish EU officials can continue to act as important channels of interaction and influence between our national system and the EU Institutions.

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