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Joint Committee on European Union Affairs to discuss Brexit with the Minister

1 Oct 2019, 15:33

The Joint Committee on European Union Affairs will meet tomorrow, Wednesday, with preparations for the UK’s withdrawal the main topic for discussion.

Helen McEntee, Minister of State for European Affairs, will appear from 2pm in Committee Room 4 with the work of the General Affairs Council (GAC) also up for discussion.

Committee proceedings can be viewed live here

Ahead of the meeting, Committee Chairperson Michael Healy-Rae said: “On Thursday it will be just 28 days until the UK is due to leave the European Union. Events of the last few weeks have not been encouraging in terms of negotiations between the UK government and the European Commission, nevertheless preparations here at home are ongoing. We look forward to engagement with  Minister McEntee on these matters.

“We cannot take for granted that the UK government will seek another extension, or that the European Council would agree to one.  While we hope a resolution can be found, Wednesday’s meeting will give the Committee an insight into just how prepared we are for a no-deal Brexit.”

In addition to discussions about Brexit, the Committee will engage with the Minister about the work of the General Affairs Council (GAC). The GAC is a configuration of the Council of the EU, the EU institution which brings together national level Ministers to adopt EU laws and coordinate sectoral policies.

European Affairs Ministers from all Member States meet monthly at the GAC to discuss cross-cutting policy issues such as Brexit, the rule of law, EU enlargement and the European multiannual budget.

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