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Speaking at a joint meeting of Public Affairs Ireland and European Movement Ireland this morning the Minister for European Affairs, Lucinda Creighton TD, gave her assessment of the broad range of issues that are likely to dominate the agenda of Ireland’s EU Presidency in the first half of next year.

Introducing her remarks, the Minister said:

The Government strongly believes that membership of the European Union is vital to Ireland’s ongoing recovery and to its future. The Presidency will give Ireland an opportunity to demonstrate that we are a constructive and committed Member State that belongs at the very heart of the EU decision-making process.

The Minister went on to describe the central theme of the Presidency as:

The challenge of getting the European economy back on track by improving the European Union’s global competitiveness, promoting economic growth and creating jobs.

The Minister said that she wanted Ireland’s Presidency to be viewed as “fair, honest and workmanlike with a focus on results."