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Department of the Roinn an Taoisigh

Developments in relation to the

Report to the Houses of the Oireachtas for the period Jan 2018 – Jun 2018

Developments in relation to the European Union Jan 2018 – Jun 2018

This Report is submitted in accordance with the requirements of Section 2(5) of the European Union (Scrutiny) Act 2002.

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Developments in relation to the European Union Jan 2018 – Jun 2018

Taoiseach met with Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán and Bulgarian PM Boyko Borissov, 4 – 5 January, Budapest and Sofia These visits were part of the Government’s ongoing programme of engagement with EU leaders in the context of discussions on the Future of Europe and negotiations. https://merrionstreet.ie/en/News- Room/Releases/Taoiseach_and_Minister_McEntee_travel_to_Budapest_and_Sofia_to_meet_with_Hungaria n_PM_Viktor_Orban_and_Bulgarian_PM_Boyko_Borissov.html

Taoiseach addressed the , 17 January 2018, Strasbourg Taoiseach addressed the European Parliament in Strasbourg on his views on the future of Europe. http://www.europarl.europa.eu/ireland/en/news-press/taoiseach-leo-varadkar-s-speech-to-the-european- parliament

Taoiseach’s bilateral engagements at the World Economic Forum, 23 – 26 January 2018, Davos Taoiseach participated in two of the World Economic Forum’s formal events, including a panel discussion entitled "New Momentum for Europe" alongside the Prime of , Mr. Costa, and the Prime Minister of the , Mr. Rutte. Taoiseach also met informally with the Slovenian Prime Minister, Miro Cerar and EU Chief Negotiator . https://merrionstreet.ie/en/Gallery/Video/Taoiseach_Leo_Varadkar_interviewed_by_Bloomberg_in_Davos. html

Taoiseach met with Estonian PM Jüri Ratas, 31 January, Dublin Taoiseach met with Estonian Prime Minister Jüri Ratas. The meeting focused on the future of European Union , Brexit, the EU´s long term budget and digitalisation. https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2018-02-13/8/

Taoiseach met with Austrian , 8-9 February, The visit is part of the Taoiseach’s ongoing programme of engagement with EU leaders for discussions on the Future of Europe and Brexit. https://merrionstreet.ie/en/News- Room/News/Taoiseach_travels_to_Vienna_to_meet_Austrian_Chancellor_Sebastian_Kurz.html

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Developments in relation to the European Union Jan 2018 – Jun 2018

Taoiseach’s bilateral engagements with PM May 12 February 2018, Belfast Taoiseach met with Prime Minister May in Belfast on 12 February. This was Taoiseach’s fourth bilateral meeting with PM May in recent months. They discussed Brexit and the draft Withdrawal Agreement in particular, in addition to matters relating to Northern Ireland. https://merrionstreet.ie/en/News-Room/News/Taoiseach_to_visit_Belfast.html

Taoiseach attended Informal HoSG meeting, 23 February 2018, Brussels Taoiseach attended an Informal EU leaders meeting in Brussels to discuss the long-term EU budget and institutional issues. Syria, Brexit, and relations with were also on the agenda. Taoiseach held bilateral engagements with the leaders of , , Germany, , Italy, Finland, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, and Bulgaria. http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/european-council/2018/02/23/

Taoiseach met with Prime Minister of Luxembourg, 5 March 2018, Dublin This meeting was part of government’s programme of strategic engagement with other EU leaders to strengthen our relationships with key partners across the full range of issues on the EU's agenda. https://merrionstreet.ie/MerrionStreet/en/Gallery/Images/Courtesy_call_by_H_E_Mr_Xavier_Bettel_Prime_ Minister_of_Luxembourg.html

Taoiseach met with Günther Oettinger, 6 March 2018, Dublin Commissioner Oettinger is visiting Dublin as part of his consultations with all EU Member States to prepare for the next EU multiannual financial framework which will begin in 2021. https://merrionstreet.ie/en/Gallery/Images/Meeting_European_Commissioner_Gunther_Oettinger.html

Taoiseach met with OECD Secretary General Angel Gurría, 8 March 2018, Dublin The Taoiseach met with Mr. Gurría in the context of the launch the OECD’s latest economic review of Ireland https://merrionstreet.ie/en/Gallery/Images/Visit_of_Mr_Angel_Gurria_Secretary_General_of_the_OECD.ht ml

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Developments in relation to the European Union Jan 2018 – Jun 2018

Taoiseach’s meeting with President of the , 8 March 2018, Dublin Taoiseach met with President of the European Council Donald Tusk to discuss issues on the European Council agenda including: Brexit, the Single Market; ; social Europe; international trade; as well as foreign policy issues. There was also an exchange of views on digital taxation, and on the deepening of Economic and Monetary Union. https://merrionstreet.ie/en/News- Room/News/Statement_by_the_Taoiseach_during_the_visit_of_European_Council_President_Mr_Donald_ Tusk.html

Taoiseach met with Chancellor Merkel, 20 March 2018, Taoiseach met with Chancellor Merkel in Berlin where discussions focussed on the agenda for the meeting of the European Council - including Brexit, trade, EMU and digital taxation. They also discussed their approach to the future of the European Union. https://merrionstreet.ie/en/News- Room/News/Taoiseach_Leo_Varadkar_travels_to_Berlin_to_meet_with_German_Chancellor_Angela_Mer kel.html

Taoiseach attended the European Council, 22-23 March 2018, Brussels Taoiseach attended the European Council where they discussed jobs, growth and competitiveness, touching on the Single Market, digital Single Market, , the European semester, economic and monetary union and social issues. http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2018/03/23/european-council-conclusions-22- march-2018/

Visit by the Taoiseach to Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, for the Future of Europe Lecture, 26 April 2018, Leuven Taoiseach addressed the university on his views on the future of Europe. https://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/eng/News/Taoiseach's_Speeches/Speech_by_An_Taoiseach_Leo_Varadkar_T _D_Martens_Lecture_on_The_Future_of_Europe_26_April_2018.html

Taoiseach met Michel Barnier at the All-Island Civic Dialogue, 30 April 2018, Louth Taoiseach met Mr Barnier in the margins of the All-Island Civic Dialogue for discussion on Brexit https://merrionstreet.ie/en/News- Room/Speeches/Speech_by_the_Taoiseach_Leo_Varadkar_at_the_Fourth_Plenary_Meeting_of_the_All_Isl and_Civic_Dialogue.html 4

Developments in relation to the European Union Jan 2018 – Jun 2018

Taoiseach attended the 17 May EU-Western Summit, 17 May 2018, Sofia Taoiseach attended the European Council meeting in Sofia where the agenda focussed on enhancing connectivity and the EU-Western Balkans security partnership http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/international-summit/2018/05/17/

Taoiseach met with PM of Belgium, 24 May 2018, Dublin Taoiseach met with Belgian Prime Minister, Charles Michel, at Government Buildings in Dublin for a bilateral meeting. The two leaders discussed major European matters including Brexit, the future of Europe and the upcoming EU Multi-Annual Financial Framework. https://merrionstreet.ie/en/News- Room/News/An_Taoiseach_Leo_Varadkar_welcomes_Belgian_Prime_Minister_Charles_Michel_to_Gover nment_Buildings_in_Dublin_for_a_bilateral_meeting_today.html

Taoiseach met with Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez, 14 June 2018, Madrid Taoiseach met with the new Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez as part of the Government’s ongoing programme of engagement on Brexit and the Future of Europe with EU partners. https://merrionstreet.ie/en/Gallery/Images/Taoiseach_Leo_Varadkar_in_Madrid_to_meet_with_new_Spanis h_Prime_Minster_Pedro_Sanchez.html

Taoiseach met with PEC Jean-Claude Juncker, June 21 2018, Dublin Taoiseach welcomed President of the , Jean-Claude Juncker, to Government Buildings in Dublin for a bilateral meeting. They discussed the state of play in Brexit negotiations ahead of the European Council meeting. https://merrionstreet.ie/en/News- Room/News/An_Taoiseach_meeting_with_European_Commission_President_Jean- Claude_Juncker_in_Dublin.html

Taoiseach met with IMF MD Ms Christine Lagarde, 25 June 2018, Dublin Taoiseach met with Ms Christine Lagarde at Government Buildings. They discussed economic outlook, international trade, and gender equality issues. https://merrionstreet.ie/en/News- Room/News/An_Taoiseach_Leo_Varadkar_meeting_with_the_IMF_Managing_Director_Christine_Lagard e.html

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Developments in relation to the European Union Jan 2018 – Jun 2018

Taoiseach attended the European Council, 28 – 29 June 2018, Brussels Taoiseach attended the European Council meeting in Brussels where the agenda focused on migration. Leaders also discussed security and defence, as well as economic and financial affairs. On Friday 29 June EU leaders addressed Brexit (in an EU 27 format) and ( Summit format). http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/european-council/2018/06/28-29/

EU Policy Coherence Unit Department of the Taoiseach Government Buildings Upper Merrion Street Dublin 2 www.taoiseach.gov.ie www.merrionstreet.ie 6