THE FIRST MAJOR event of the Irish presidency of the EU has been announced.
On Thursday, the Irish Government will meet with European Parliament President Martin Schulz and the chairpersons of the Parliament’s political groups in Dublin Castle, as part of their two day visit to Ireland.
Ireland’s six month term begins on 1 January.
This visit of European Parliament leaders is a regular feature of the Presidency schedule, and the Taoiseach’s office says that the main focus of this two-day visit will be a meeting of the Conference of Presidents on Thursday 29 November. This is where the European Parliament President and political group leaders will meet with Taoiseach, Tánaiste and members of the Cabinet in the afternoon to discuss the Irish EU Presidency priorities.
The following day, Friday 30 November, the delegation will also meet with President Michael D Higgins and members of the Oireachtas.
Recently, Minister for Justice Alan Shatter said that he hopes to use the forthcoming presidency to seek the expansion of an EU-wide system, similar to Ireland’s Criminal Assets Bureau. He said that it remains a question for the individual member states as to whether they would wish to incorporate such a model into their own legal regimes.
The Department of Foreign Affairs recently awarded tenders to companies in Monaghan and Clare for branded neckties and scarves commemorating the country’s six-month stay at the helm of the EU.
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