27 Oct 2020, 15:18
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Union Affairs will begin discussions with stakeholders on the EU response to Covid-19 at a meeting tomorrow, Wednesday, 28 October, in Committee Room 3 of Leinster House at 9am.
European Commission Representative to Ireland, Gerry Kiely, and Executive Director of European Movement Ireland, Noelle O’Connell will appear remotely before the Committee of TDs and Senators.
Speaking before the meeting, Committee Chairman Joe McHugh TD said: “The Covid-19 pandemic is an unprecedented crisis for Irish citizens and indeed citizens across Europe and worldwide.
“The response of the EU Institutions to the coronavirus pandemic began in January and the first European Council meeting on the pandemic was held in March. Guided by the priorities set at that Spring meeting, the European Institutions have, since then, taken action in the areas of research, economy, public health and travel and transport, including aviation.
“Tomorrow’s engagement is a welcome opportunity for Committee members to focus on the EU response to the coronavirus pandemic. Members want to examine a number of issues, including the effectiveness of the overall crisis response from the EU Institutions to date and if there are any particular areas where more could have been done or can still be done to limit the negative effects of this pandemic on Member States.”
Watch live here.