AN TAOISEACH ENDA Kenny is in Granada today for meetings with his Spanish counterpart Mariano Rajoy.

The pair are due to discuss major EU and Presidency agenda items, including current progress on a banking union, prospects for a US/EU trade agreement and attempts to finalise the €960 billion European budget.

Kenny will also update the Spanish leader on the Irish presidency and the country’s ambitions for the rest of the term.

However, there will probably be much attention on the Spanish government’s decision to revise its economic plans in order to tackle high levels of unemployment.

Separately, the Taoiseach has arranged to meet with German finance minister Wolfgang Schaeuble. He will also deliver a keynote speech – Rebuilding Europe: How should, how can the EU move on after the crisis? – at a roundtable hosted by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS).

Tomorrow, Kenny will move to Lisbon for a meeting with Prime Minister Coelho. Discussions between the two will focus on MFF negotiations; developments in the euro area; the economic situation in both countries; and Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

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