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Minister Dara Murphy visits Berlin with focus on Brexit, data protection and EU digital agenda

The Minister for European Affairs, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, Dara Murphy TD, begins a two-day visit to Berlin today, Monday 21 November, focused on Brexit, data protection and the EU digital agenda.

The Minister will meet with his German counterpart Michael Roth, Minister of State for Europe, as well as members of the European Affairs Committee of the German Bundestag, for talks on Brexit, the future of Europe and wider EU developments.

As part of his programme, Minister Murphy will take part in a roundtable event hosted by the Stiftung Datenschutz, the German Data Protection Foundation, and will also meet with the Bundestag’s Digital Affairs Committee.

During the visit the Minister will deliver a keynote address on “Ireland and Europe’s future – from Brexit, to the Digital Agenda and beyond” at an event hosted by Commerzbank and will also undertake a number of engagements in support of the work of the State Agencies.

Minister Murphy said:

“Ireland and Germany enjoy excellent bilateral relations as EU partners and my visit to Berlin is a great opportunity to build on these close ties, focusing on a number of important issues on the political agenda for both countries, namely Brexit, the future of Europe, data protection and the digital agenda at EU level.

“My meetings with Minister Roth and with the Bundestag will provide an opportunity to re-emphasise Ireland’s unique concerns with respect to Brexit, particularly in relation to Northern Ireland and the border, which are already well understood in Germany following visits by both the Taoiseach and Minister Flanagan during the summer. I will also reinforce the message that Ireland is a fully committed EU member state and partner, unwavering in our commitment to the future of the EU27.

“As Minister for Data Protection, this visit presents a very welcome occasion for me to engage with political, regulatory and civic society stakeholders in Germany, to update on developments in Ireland and to develop our cooperation. As both countries prepare for the entry into force of new EU-wide data protection rules in 2018, it is important that we work closely together to ensure a coherent and truly pan-European approach to data protection, consistent with our new legal framework, and which puts the rights of the citizen at its heart."