COVID-19 Government announcements Government Formation • Minister Donohoe makes changes to the The Agreement was accepted on the 26 of June by the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme to respective parties and a coalition was formed. accommodate apprentices on off-the-job The new cabinet is: training • Micheál Martin- • Aviation Taskforce has met on two occasions to • - Tánaiste Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment date, on the 12th of June and the 19th of June. Minutes and interim report can be accessed Legislative Monthly • - Minister for Climate Action, Communication Networks and Transport here th Newsletter • - Minister for Finance • Easing of restrictions on 29 June Phase 3 • Michael McGrath- Minister for Public Expenditure • Taoiseach, Minister for Health, Minister for June 2020 and Reform Transport and CEO of the National Transport Authority launch campaign on Face Coverings • - Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defense • Government announces new Summer Provision • - Minister for Education 2020 12 June • Roderic O’Gorman- Minister for Children, • Ministers Humphreys and Bruton Expand Disability, Equality and Integration Trading Online Scheme by €14.2m Irish Political • - Minister for Agriculture • Minister Donohoe announces extension of Developments • Helen McEntee- Minister for Justice Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme until end • - Minister for Social August. Protection, Community and Rural development Special Committee on COVID-19 and the Islands Response • Darragh O’Brien- Minister for Housing, Local • Special Committee is ongoing. Government and • All of the Special Committee’s debates can be • Catherine Martin- Minister for Media, Tourism, accessed here. Art, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht Other News • - Minister for Health • Minister Bruton Publishes Legislation to • Simon Harris- Minister for Higher Education, innovation and Science Establish Climate Action Fund

• - Minister for State • Ireland wins seat on United Nations Security Department of Climate Action Council • Pippa Hackett- Minister of State Agriculture • Government nominates Ms. Justice Mary • Paul Gallagher- Attorney General Irvine for appointment as the President of the • - Government Chief Whip High Court- more info here

European Commission • Commission launches a website to safely resume • 17th June Speech by President von der travelling and tourism in the EU “Re-open EU” Leyen at the European Parliament • Ireland moves up to 9th place on this year’s European Plenary on the preparations for the Innovation Scoreboard European Council of 19 June 2020, and

• EU budget 2021: An annual budget focused on the negotiations for a new partnership European recovery was announced on 24 June. The with the Legislative Monthly proposed budget of €166.7 billion for 2021 was • EU-UK Statement following the High- passed and complemented by €211 billion in grants Level Meeting on 15 June. “Increased Newsletter and approximately €133 billion in loans under Next momentum required on both sides, but Generation EU, the temporary recovery instrument. still committed to a deal”. Full June 2020 • European Commission kicks off major EU trade policy Statement here review . Stakeholders are invited to provide their • The UK formally announced that they responses to the questions set out above by 15 will not be seeking an extension to the September 2020 Withdrawal agreement. Full Press • Sustainable Finance: The Commission welcomes the statement by Vice-President Maroš adoption by the European Parliament of the Šefčovič following the second meeting European Political Taxonomy Regulation which will create the world's of the EU-UK Joint Committee here th first-ever “green list” that will create a common • After the 4 round of negotiations, Developments progress is very slow. Statement by language that investors can use everywhere when investing in projects and economic activities that following Round 4 of have a substantial positive impact on the climate and negotiations for a new partnership the environment. between the European Union and the United Kingdom. Full Statement here • Six rounds of Negotiations are to take European Commission Covid Response • 17th June 2020 Coronavirus: Commission unveils EU place between July and August to Vaccines Strategy intensify the pace of the discussions. • Commission approves €250 million Irish scheme to Other News support micro and small companies affected by • Commissioner Hogan has announced coronavirus outbreak in restarting their activities. that he will not seek the top job in the The support will take the form of direct grants WTO. Further details can be found here equivalent to the company's local commercial • Minister Donohoe puts his name property tax (so-called “commercial rates”) forward for Eurogroup president job of the Finance Ministers. More details here