merrion street

Tomorrow will bring the first major event of the Irish Presidency of the EU to take place in Ireland. The government will meet the President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, and the chairpersons of the Parliament’s political groups in Dublin Castle. Their two day visit, known as the Conference of Presidents, will include visits to the Oireachtas and to the President at Áras an Uachtaráin.

This visit of European Parliament leaders is an important feature of the pre-Presidency schedule of contacts. The Parliament leaders and the government, led by the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste, will discuss the Irish Presidency’s priorities for its six months in office from January-June 2013. These priorities can be summarised as stability, jobs and growth.

The Council of the European Union, consisting of national governments of the Member States, will be chaired by Irish Ministers for the duration of this six-month Presidency. The European Parliament is the EU institution which co-decides legislation with the Council, with the EU Presidency as its principal negotiating partner on behalf of Member States.

Following President Schulz’s arrival during the afternoon, he will meet with the Taoiseach and Tánaiste before they participate at a joint press conference at 15.45 Irish time. They will then join the Conference of Presidents and Irish ministers for their plenary meeting in the Dublin Castle Conference Centre.