24 Jan 2012, 17:13
A delegation from the Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform will visit the Bundestag in Berlin tomorrow as part of a working mission to meet counterparts in the German Budgetary and European Affairs Committees.
Committee Chairman Alex White, TD: “The purpose of our visit tomorrow is to establish direct working relationships with parliamentary colleagues in the Bundestag, and to discuss areas of mutual interest, including the current treaty negotiations on the proposed fiscal compact. At a time of great uncertainty and concern about the future, it is essential that a line of contact and exchange should open up between elected parliamentarians across the European Union. We are looking forward to positive, frank and open discussion, and will also take the opportunity to reflect on the controversy about Irish budget details being revealed in the Bundestag, before they came before the Dáil last December. I hope this is only the beginning of a much-needed process of discussion, debate and mutual understanding.”
The official delegation will be led by Deputy White and includes Liam Twomey, TD; Michael McGrath, TD; Pearse Doherty, TD; and Richard Boyd-Barrett, TD. Four other Committee Members, Peter Mathews, TD; Arthur Spring, TD; Kieran O’Donnell, TD; and Senator Michael D’Arcy will accompany the delegation at their own expense.
Full programme details are available below.
For further information please contact:
Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551
Notes to the editor:
Programme
Wednesday, 25 January
12.05 Depart Dublin on EI 334
15.15 Arrive Berlin Schönefeld Airport
Transfer to Hotel
Motel One, Leipziger Straße 50
10117 Berlin
17.15 Briefing at Embassy
Embassy of Ireland, Jägerstrasse 51, 10117 Berlin
18.00 Meeting with Berlin based Irish business community representatives
Embassy of Ireland, Jägerstrasse 51, 10117 Berlin
Thursday, 26 January
08.30 Working breakfast with members of the
German-Irish Parliamentary Friendship Group of the Bundestag
Bundestag, Platz der Republik 1, 11011 Berlin
11.00 Meeting with Petra Merkel MdB, Chair of the Budgetary Committee of the Bundestag and selected Committee Members
12.30 (approx) Followed by working lunch with Budgetary Committee
Bundestag, Platz der Republik 1, 11011 Berlin
(Consecutive interpretation will be provided at meeting and lunch by the Bundestag)
15.30 Meeting with Chair, Gunther Krichbaum MdB, Chair of the European Affairs Committee of the Bundestag and selected Committee Members
Bundestag, Platz der Republik 1, 11011 Berlin
(Consecutive interpretation will be provided. Meeting scheduled to 16.30)
17.00 Briefing and exchange of views with the Organisation of German Taxpayers (NGO)
Französische Straße 9-12, 10117 Berlin
19.00 Attendance at Heinrich Böll and Ireland Evening
Film screening, short lecture & reception
Opportunity to meet with German and Irish audience
(Event is part of the Embassy’s public diplomacy programme and open to the public)
Embassy of Ireland, Jägerstrasse 51, 10117 Berlin
Friday, 27 January
08.30 Briefing and exchange of views with the
German Institute for Economic Research (DIW)
Mohrenstraße 58, 10117 Berlin
10.00 Meeting with Prof. Helmut Anheier, Dean of the Hertie School of Governance & academic collagues
Hertie School of Governance, Friedrichstrasse 180, 10117 Berlin
11.00 Wrap up meeting at Embassy
Embassy of Ireland, Jägerstrasse 51, 10117 Berlin
12.15 Depart for Schönefeld Airport
15.15 Depart for Dublin on EI 335
17.20 Arrive Dublin
Committee Membership
Chairman:
Alex White, (LAB)
Deputies:
Richard Boyd-Barrett, (IND)
Michael Creed, (FG)
Jim Daly, (FG)
Pearse Doherty, (SF)
Stephen Donnelly, (IND)
Timmy Dooley, (FF)
Sean Fleming, (FF)
Joe Higgins, (IND)
Heather Humphreys, (FG)
Kevin Humphreys, (LAB)
Peter Mathews, (FG)
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, (SF)
Mary Lou McDonald, (SF)
Michael McGrath, (FF)
Michael McNamara (LAB)
Olivia Mitchell, (FG)
Kieran O’ Donnell, (FG)
Arthur Spring, (LAB)
Billy Timmins, (FG)
Liam Twomey, (FG) (Vice-Chair)
Senators:
Sean D Barrett (IND)
Thomas Byrne (FF)
Michael D’Arcy (FG)
Aideen Hayden (LAB)
Tom Sheahan (FG)
Katherine Zappone (IND)