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TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN is in Berlin today, where he will meet with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
It’s the latest foreign trip in a series that preceeds Ireland’s takeover of the EU presidency.
It’s also the Taoiseach’s first diplomatic expedition since fuel price protests effectively shut down the country.
The political emergency meant Martin had to cancel a visit to Canada, which was due to begin last Sunday and included five other government ministers.
The Taoiseach instead spoke to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney over the phone.
Ahead of 1 July, when Ireland will take the baton from Cyprus, government leaders will meet with its continental counterparts to discuss priorities for the presidency.
Speaking at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on EU Affairs yesterday, Minister of State Thomas Byrne said Ireland has been advocating for a “simplification” of EU rules on housing, public procurement, medical devices and deforestation.
“Simplification has to be about better regulation, not deregulation,” he said.
Byrne said other priorities include a “strong” Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), a special fund for digital, energy and connectivity projects, as well as humanitarian assistance.
Behind the scenes across the government, and contained in a briefing document seen by The Journal in January, there were concerns that the EU budget will force Ireland to indirectly fund EU defence all the while losing out in money in real terms because of a change in agriculture funding.
It is understood that the study stated that a combination of reduced agricultural subsidies, which Ireland traditionally would benefit from, and increased contributions going towards defence would see the country losing out.
Byrne recently met with President of Moldova Maia Sandu, who was visiting Dublin to gather support for her country’s bid to join the union.
Ukraine, Montenegro and Albania have also been cosying up to Ireland and other European leaders, as they try to secure membership.
The Taoiseach’s flying visit to Germany today will begin with a meeting between Chancellor Merz and himself, where they plan to discuss preparations for Ireland’s Presidency as well as bilateral relations and international issues.
The pair will then deliver a joint press conference.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, Martin said today’s meeting is “an opportunity to discuss in greater depth the issues facing us in Europe”.
“I will brief the Chancellor on our preparations for Ireland’s EU Presidency, during which we will focus strongly on issues including competitiveness, negotiating the Union’s future budget and security. We will also seek to make progress on enlargement.”
As well as Germany’s priorities for Ireland’s EU Presidency, he said he also plans to discuss the economic challenges currently facing Europe, including the impact of rising energy prices.
“We will also discuss global issues, including the situation in the Middle East and Ukraine,” he added.
Following the meeting, the Taoiseach will join other EU leaders on a video call convened by President Macron to discuss online safety and the protection of children.
It is understood that no other official engagements are scheduled for the one-day trip.
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