Department of the Taoiseach Roinn an Taoisigh Developments in Relation to the European Union Report to the Houses of the Oireach

Department of the Taoiseach Roinn an Taoisigh

Developments in relation to the European Union

Report to the Houses of the Oireachtas for the period July 2016 – December 2016

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

Meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel, 12 July 2016, Berlin The Taoiseach travelled to Berlin to meet with Chancellor Angela Merkel on 12 July 2016. Discussions focused on the outcome of the UK referendum and its implications for the European Union. http://www.merrionstreet.ie/en/News-Room/News/Taoiseach_to_meet_with_Chancellor_Angela_Merkel.html

Meeting with the President of France Francois Hollande, 21 July 2016, Dublin The Taoiseach met with French President Francois Hollande in Government Buildings on 21 July. They discussed the current security situation in the wake of the attacks in Nice, the results of the UK referendum, the challenges the EU is facing and the economic situation. http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/eng/News/Taoiseach's_Press_Releases/Meeting_between_Mr_Enda_Kenny_T_D_Taoise ach_and_Mr_Francois_Hollande_President_of_the_French_Republic_Government_Buildings_Dublin_21_July_2016 _-_Joint_Statement.html

Meeting with Prime Minister Theresa May, 26 July 2016, London The Taoiseach traveled to London to meet with the British Prime Minister Theresa May on 26 July2016. They discussed UK referendum decision to leave the EU and the situation in Northern Ireland and the UK/Ireland Joint Work Programme. http://www.merrionstreet.ie/en/News- Room/News/Statement_by_the_Taoiseach_Mr_Enda_Kenny_TD_following_Meeting_with_UK_Prime_Minister_Th eresa_May_Tuesday_26_July_2016.html

Meeting with President Tusk, 7 September 2016, Dublin The Taoiseach met with President of the European Council, Donald Tusk on 7 September. They discussed the future of Europe and preparations for the Informal Summit of 27 EU Heads of State and Government in Bratislava on the 16th of September. http://www.merrionstreet.ie/en/News-Room/News/Spotlights/Taoiseach_meets_with_President_Donald_Tusk.html

Informal meeting of the 27 Heads of State or Government, 16 September 2016, Bratislava The Taoiseach attended the meeting of the 27 Heads of State or Government on 16 September 2016 in Bratislava. Leaders discussed the main challenges being faced, and how best to address these and move ahead as a Union of 27 Member States. Priority issues included migration and security, as well as a number of economic issues. http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/european-council/2016/09/16-informal-meeting/

Meeting with Michel Barnier, 12 October 2016 Dublin The Taioseah met with Michel Barnier, European Commission's Chief Brexit Negotiator on 12 October 2016 in Government Buildings. They discussed Ireland's unique set of priorities with regard to Brexit, and the many complex issues relating to Northern Ireland, the Common Travel Area and the depth of Ireland’s economic and trade relationship with the UK. http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/eng/News/Taoiseach's_Press_Releases/Taoiseach_outlines_Ireland_s_priorities_to_Euro pean_Commission_s_Chief_Brexit_Negotiator_Michel_Barnier.html

European Council 20/21 October 2016, Brussels The Taoiseach attended the meeting of European Council on 20/21 October 2016 in Brussels. The meeting discussed migration, EU's trade policy, global and economic issues and relations with Russia.

The Taoiseach reported to the Oireachtas on the outcome of the European Council – http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/debateswebpack.nsf/takes/dail2016102600027?opendocu ment#Z00200

Meeting with the Prime Minister of Malta, Joseph Muscat, 29 November 2016, Dublin Taoiseach Enda Kenny met the Prime Minister of Malta, Joseph Muscat, in Government Buildings, Dublin, on 29 November 2016. The discussed Brexit and the Maltese EU Presidency and a range of issues including migration, Syria, climate change, and the Digital Single Market. http://www.merrionstreet.ie/en/News-Room/News/Taoiseach_meets_Prime_Minister_Joseph_Muscat_of_Malta.html

Taoiseach opens European Investment Bank’s office in Ireland, 9 December 2016 The European Investment Bank’s first permanent office in Ireland was formally opened on 9th December, by the Taoiseach. The new office will strengthen links between the EIB, the world’s largest international public bank, and Ireland and in particular enable greater private sector investment in the country by providing direct guidance on possible technical and financial support. http://www.merrionstreet.ie/en/News- Room/Releases/New_era_of_stronger_European_Investment_Bank_activity_in_Ireland_Taoiseach_to_open_EIB_Du blin_office_and_Minister_Noonan_to_chair_meeting_to_outline_increased_EIB_engagement.html

European Council 15 December 2016, Brussels The Taoiseach attended the meeting of European Council on 15 December 2016 in Brussels. Leaders discussed economic and social development, migration, security, Russia and Ukraine, and the situation in Syria. The European Council was followed by a meeting of the EU 27 Member States which focused on EU preparations for the Brexit negotiations.

The Taoiseach reported to the Oireachtas on the outcome of the European Council –

http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/debateswebpack.nsf/takes/dail2017012500021?opendocu ment#T01200

General Affairs Council July – December 2016 (Slovakia Presidency)

The General Affairs Council (GAC) met five times, viz: 24/25 July (Informal), 20 September, 18 October, 15/16 November, 13 December. In addition to the regular preparation for and follow-up from European Council meetings, the GAC discussed a broad range of issues in the period, including: EU enlargement; EU’s Strategic Agenda; Commission 2017 work programme; Mid-term review of the EU's budgetary framework; Inter institutional agreement on better law-making; Rule of law dialogue; EU cohesion policy; European fund for sustainable development; EU's legislative priorities for 2017.

Ireland was represented at the GAC by the Minister of State for European Affairs and Data Protection, Dara Murphy T.D.

EU Institutions Unit Department of the Taoiseach Government Buildings Upper Merrion Street Dublin 2 www.taoiseach.gov.ie www.merrionstreet.ie 5