Joan Burton
Question:12. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach the contact he has had with his Austrian counterpart since Austria assumed the EU Presidency. [30676/18]
View answerWednesday, 26 September 2018
Questions (12, 16)
Martin Heydon
Question:16. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent visit to EUNAVFOR MED Operation Sophia’s operational headquarters in Rome. [37817/18]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 16 together.
On 8 July the Taoiseach welcomed the Chancellor of Austria, Sebastian Kurz, to Dublin. This visit took place as Austria began its six-month Presidency of the Council of the European Union and followed Taoiseach’s own visit to Vienna in February. Taoiseach was pleased that Chancellor Kurz chose Ireland as the first member state to visit under the Austrian Presidency.
Topics discussed during the meeting included Brexit, migration, trade, the digital agenda, and the post-2020 EU budget - these issues all feature on the EU's agenda during the current Austrian Presidency.
The Taoiseach and Chancellor Kurz both also acknowledged the excellent bilateral relations between our two countries. Ireland and Austria are close partners within the EU. Both countries also cooperate closely on international issues, including at the United Nations.
On Monday 9 July the Chancellor visited the border area accompanied by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed.
The Taoiseach also met with Chancellor Kurz at the informal meeting of EU leaders which took place on 19-20 September in Salzburg, in the context of the Austrian Presidency.
During a trip encompassing official visits to Croatia, Romania and Italy 23 – 26 July the Taoiseach availed of the opportunity, while in Italy, to visit the Headquarters of the EU Operation Sophia Mission on 26 July. The Taoiseach met with the Mission Commander, Admiral Enrico Credendino and staff, and received a briefing on the work of the Mission in addressing the migration crisis in the Mediterranean. Taoiseach was accompanied by the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Vice Admiral Mark Mellett.
Questions Nos. 13 to 15, inclusive, resubmitted.
Question No. 16 answered with Question No. 12.