From:Department of Social Protection

Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary TD, today presented Ireland's EU Presidency priorities to the European Parliament Employment and Social Affairs Committee during a visit to Brussels.

Minister Calleary highlighted Ireland’s commitment to progressing key social affairs priorities for the EU over the next six months. These include the importance of social inclusion, quality jobs and equal rights to strengthen the quality of life and standard of living of EU citizens. The Minister also discussed Ireland’s commitment to supporting EU efforts on addressing the disability employment gap for a more inclusive and competitive EU.

The Minister laid out how the Irish Presidency will lead the discussion on how to create and support high quality jobs within modern labour markets, and how the Presidency will seek to highlight key European initiatives on employment, including the EU’s first Anti-Poverty Strategy, the Quality Jobs Roadmap and Act, and the forthcoming Fair Labour Mobility Package.

Commenting today, Minister Calleary said:

“I am grateful for the opportunity to present Ireland's Presidency priorities to the European Parliament's Committees on Employment and Social Affairs. The European Parliament is an important partner in delivering on our Presidency priorities over the next six months and I look forward to our continued positive engagement over the course of our Presidency.

Our discussions today follow on from the Informal Ministerial Council meeting in Ballina last week, which focussed on work to address social exclusion, protections for workers while progressing in the competitiveness agenda, and initiatives to support the inclusion of disabled people in the workforce.

The Irish Presidency of the Council has an ambitious agenda, focussed on the central themes of competitiveness, values and security guided by the enduring principle of ‘Ni neart go cur le chéile’, there is no strength without unity.These themes, which are interlocking and mutually reinforcing, will guide all aspects of our work as Presidency.

It is imperative to work together, across all EU Institutions, to build a future in which every European has the opportunity to thrive in a changing world. Our strength is by working together and I am confident that in our unity we will protect our values and enhance the quality of life for all Europeans.”