merrion street

An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar spoke by phone this afternoon with European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen.

He briefed her on the careful, gradual steps Ireland is taking to reopen its economy. 

President von der Leyen set out her thinking on an EU Recovery Fund, and on how the Union’s budget can be mobilised to support sectors and regions affected by the crisis to build a greener, more resilient economy. 

The Taoiseach stressed the vital role the agriculture sector can play in this, and the importance of a properly funded CAP.  He also expressed his support for a coordinated approach at EU level to lifting restrictions on travel.