As noted in the Programme for Government, the Government is committed to placing Ireland at the heart of Europe. Membership of the European Union has been transformative for Ireland and its people and I believe that it is in Ireland's best interests to pursue an active and engaged membership by working with our colleagues across the Union.
The following table sets out the meetings that I have had with my EU counterparts, since my appointment as Minister for Transport. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic all of these meetings took place virtually.
Event
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Date
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Informal Ministerial Transport Council hosted by the German Presidency of the Council of the EU
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29 October 2020
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Introductory call with European Commissioner for Transport, Adina Valean
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10 November 2020
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Informal Ministerial Transport Council hosted by the German Presidency of the Council of the EU
|
08 December 2020
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Call with Minister of Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology, Leonore Gewessler (Austria)
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14 December 2020
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Call with Minister for Mobility and Public Works, François Bausch (Luxembourg)
|
14 December 2020
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Call with Minister of Transport, Jean-Baptiste Djebbari (France)
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15 January 2021
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Informal Ministerial Transport Council hosted by the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the EU
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30 March 2021
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In addition to these engagements, I keep in regular contact with the network of European Green Ministers on various issues. This includes my Ministerial colleagues in Luxembourg, Belgium and Austria.