European Commissioner Mairéad McGuinness address Seanad Éireann on Europe Day

Commissioner McGuinness will also attend the exhibition launch ‘Ireland and the EU’ at Leinster House as part of a range of events to mark Europe Day 2023.

Speaking ahead of the Commissioner’s address, Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann Senator Jerry Buttimer said: “We are delighted to welcome Commissioner McGuinness to address the Seanad on Europe Day."

“It follows addresses to joint sittings of the Houses of the Oireachtas by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen last year and President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola in February."

“On 9 May every year European Union member states celebrate Europe Day on the anniversary of the signing of the Schuman Declaration in 1950. This is a day of reflection on the co-operation, prosperity and peace that has come about through the European project."

“This year Europe Day will be the start of the European Year of Skills, putting skills at the heart of European policy debate and about educating citizens on the EU’s efforts to build a Europe that is digitally focussed, competitive and skilled.”

“As the European Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability and Capital Markets Union, her vision for the portfolio is focused on ensuring the financial sector’s strength and stability, so that it can deliver for people, society and the environment."

“According to the 2022-2023 Winter Eurobarometer Report for Ireland by the European Commission Representation some 74 per cent of Irish people have a positive view of the EU, the highest across the EU27."

“We look forward to hearing Commissioner McGuinness’s reflections on Europe Day, Ireland’s relationship with the EU and what Ireland’s participation in the European project has done for the country since 1972.”

Visit Schedule:
• 1045 Commissioner McGuinness arrives at Leinster House
• 1100 Attend exhibition launch: Into Europe: Ireland and the EU
• 1130 Proceed to Cathaoirleach’s Office and signs Seanad Éireann Distinguished Visitors’ Book;
• 1200 Cathaoirleach takes Chair, commences sitting and invites Commissioner McGuinness to the Seanad Chamber
• 1300 Sitting suspended
Watch the address live here on Oireachtas TV or on the Oireachtas smartphone app for Apple and Android.

Notes to Editor:
Commissioner McGuinness served as First Vice-President of the European Parliament from January 2017 to October 2020, when she joined the European Commission. She was an MEP for 16 years, and was a Vice-President of the Parliament since 2014.