Did you find what you were looking for?

Find what you were looking for?

Help us improve AI search results bygiving your feedback (3-5 mins).

From:Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD, will today (15 September) commence his visit to the European Parliament plenary in Strasbourg. As Ireland holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the Minister will represent the Council in a series of engagements with the Parliament.

Minister Byrne will participate in European Parliament debates, including on the European Democracy Shield and simplification – a key priority of Ireland’s EU Presidency. The Minister will also attend President von der Leyen’s annual State of the Union address on behalf of the Irish EU Presidency.

On Wednesday, Minister Byrne will sign two EU legislative acts into law, alongside the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola. These acts relate to the strengthening of air passenger rights and establishing the Union Customs Code and the European Union Customs Authority.

Speaking from the European Parliament, Minister Byrne said: ‘’In my role representing the Council of the European Union at the European Parliament this week, I look forward to engaging with its members on the issues and policies that are affecting EU citizens. In holding the EU Presidency, Ireland has demonstrated its commitment to working closely and constructively with the European Parliament, to advance an EU agenda that delivers positive results for the citizens of our Union.”

Minister Byrne continued: “As the EU works to navigate the strongest path for our future, I look forward to hearing President von der Leyen set out her vision for the period ahead in her State of the Union speech. The address by Prime Minister Carney of Canada to the European Parliament represents a significant moment in the EU-Canada relationship which I greatly welcome.”

While in Strasbourg, the Minister will also visit the exhibition curated by the Royal Irish Academy, A History of Ireland in 100 Words.The exhibition will mark the launch of the cultural programme of the Irish Presidency in Strasbourg. The striking graphics of this exhibition will provide a vivid and contemporary draw to visitors and parliamentarians alike, who will then be invited to explore ten words and phrases of Irish through the exhibition.

The exhibition by the Royal Irish Academy is based on the book ‘A History of Ireland in 100 Words’ by Sharon Arbuthnot, Máire Ní Mhaonaigh, Gregory Toner, and illustrated by Joe McLaren, published in 2019.

More information the cultural programme of the Irish Presidencycan be found here.