Department of the Taoiseach Roinn an Taoisigh Developments in relation to the European Union Report to the Houses of the Oireachtas for the period Jul 2017 – Dec 2017 Developments in relation to the European Union Jul 2017 – Dec 2017 This Report is submitted in accordance with the requirements of Section 2(5) of the European Union (Scrutiny) Act 2002. 1 Developments in relation to the European Union Jul 2017 – Dec 2017 Taoiseach met with Mr. Guy Verhofstadt, 21 September 2017, Dublin The Taoiseach met with Mr. Guy Verhofstadt at Government Buildings. Discussions focused on Brexit. http://www.europarl.europa.eu/ireland/en/news-press/ep-brexit-coordinator-guy-verhofstadt-visit-20-21- september Taoiseach met with Mario Draghi President European Central Bank, 22 September 2017, Dublin The Taoiseach briefed President Draghi on Ireland’s economic prospects and Draghi offered his assessment of recovery in the Eurozone. No link available Taoiseach’s bilateral engagement with PM May, 27 September 2017, London Taoiseach met with PM May for the second time in Downing Street. Their discussions focussed on Brexit, restoring the Assembly in Northern Ireland, how to maintain the Common Travel Area and protect the Peace Process, and avoid a return to any border. https://merrionstreet.ie/en/News- Room/News/Spotlights/Taoiseach_Leo_Varadkar_meets_PM_May_in_London.html The Taoiseach attended the Digital Summit, 29 September 2017, Tallinn The Estonian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, in cooperation with the President of the European Council and the European Commission, organised the Tallinn Digital Summit to bring together EU heads of state or government on 29 September 2017. In advance of the Tallinn Summit, Taoiseach participated in a meeting with the leaders of a number of like-minded partners - Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands. https://www.eu2017.ee/political-meetings/tallinn-digital-summit Taoiseach attends European Council, 18 October 2017, Brussels Taoiseach attended the European Council meeting in Brussels where a range of current EU challenges, the Future of Europe agenda and the ongoing Brexit negotiations were discussed with fellow leaders from across the continent. Other issues on the agenda include migration and the digital single market. https://merrionstreet.ie/en/News-Room/News/Taoiseach_travels_to_European_Council_in_Brussels.html 2 Developments in relation to the European Union Jul 2017 – Dec 2017 Taoiseach meets with French President Macron, 24 October 2017, Paris Taoiseach attended his first bilateral meeting with the President of France, Emmanuel Macron. Matters discussed included the Future of Europe Agenda, securing a good deal for Ireland and Europe from Brexit, and building on discussions at last week’s European Council Summit. https://merrionstreet.ie/en/News- Room/News/Taoiseach_in_Paris_for_first_bilateral_meeting_with_President_Macron.html Taoiseach launched the Citizens’ Dialogue on the Future of Europe, 15 Nov 2017, Dublin The purpose of the dialogue is to engage with citizens to hear their views, opinions and insights about the European Union; so that we can help to shape a better Europe for all. http://www.europeanmovement.ie/irelands-citizens-dialogue-on-the-future-of-europe/ Taoiseach attended the Social Summit, 17 November 2017, Gothenburg, Sweden The Social summit for fair jobs and growth took place on 17 November 2017 on Gothenberg, Sweden. Its aim, to gather heads of State and government, social partners and other key players to work together on a more social Europe and to promote fair jobs and growth. https://europa.eu/newsroom/events/social-summit-fair-jobs-and-growth_en Taoiseach attended the Eastern Partnership Summit, 24 November 2017, Brussels EU leaders met with their six Eastern partners, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, and Ukraine to agree on the future priorities of their partnership. http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/international-summit/2017/11/24/ Taoiseach met with European Council President Tusk, 1 December 2017, Dublin Taoiseach welcomed the President of the European Council Mr Donald Tusk to Government buildings where they discussed developments in relation to Brexit https://merrionstreet.ie/en/News-Room/News/Taoiseach_meeting_with_Donald_Tusk.html Taoiseach met with Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the Netherlands, 6 December 2017, Dublin The Taoiseach met with PM Rutte at Government Buildings. Discussions focused on Brexit and a sharing of views on the future of Europe. https://www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/the-netherlands/news-and-events/2017/taoiseach-meets-dutch-pm/ 3 Developments in relation to the European Union Jul 2017 – Dec 2017 Taoiseach met with European Investment Bank President Werner Hoyer, 8 December 2017, Dublin Taoiseach met with EIB President Werner Hoyer receiving an update on EIB activity in Ireland. No link available Taoiseach attended the European Council, 14/15 December 2017, Brussels Taoiseach attended the European Council meeting in Brussels where an agenda covering PESCO; Social issues, education and culture; External relations; Migration were discussed http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/european-council/2017/12/15/ Taoiseach attended the Euro Summit, 15 December 2017, Brussels Taoiseach attended the Euro Summit in Brussels where EMU and banking loans were top of the agenda. http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/euro-summit/2017/12/15/ EU Policy Coherence Unit Department of the Taoiseach Government Buildings Upper Merrion Street Dublin 2 www.taoiseach.gov.ie www.merrionstreet.ie 4 .