merrion street

Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore today met with European Commission President José Manuel Barroso and European Parliament President Martin Schulz while the European leaders were visiting Dublin.

The leaders discussed the EU Budget, youth employment and trade.

Speaking about the EU Budget, the Taoiseach said:

The balance that must be struck is on a budget that fits the times we live in. We want to ensure it is fit for purpose in supporting jobs and growth. We will work hard to get it over the line under our watch.

The Tánaiste said:

The MFF is a major part of the EU’s toolkit to help growth and jobs. I particularly welcome the Youth Guarantee being agreed today in Brussels, and that €6 billion of resources are proposed within the MFF to be put behind it.

The Taoiseach also spoke about EU-US trade:

As part of the overall trade agenda, the Irish Presidency will play a critical role in the opening talks by working out the mandate for an EU-US Trade and Investment Partnership among Member States.

Next month in Washington, we will have an opportunity to discuss this directly with President Obama when in the White House around Saint Patrick’s Day.

The Taoiseach and Tánaiste paid tribute to the working relationship the Irish Presidency enjoys with both the European Commission and the European Parliament, and looked forward to continued good results during the remaining four months of Ireland's Presidency of the EU Council.