EU Affairs Committee to discuss State of the Union with European Commission representative in Ireland

The Committee will meet Gerry Kiely, head of the European Commission Representation in Ireland, to examine key points from the 2018 State of the Union address delivered by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker to the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

They also are expected to discuss the potential ramifications for Ireland of the recently agreed draft withdrawal agreement and the Political Declaration on the Future Relationship between the EU and UK.

“The EU has faced some significant challenges over the last year. The State of the Union address emphasised the need for the European Union to explain its successes, stand up for its values and, most importantly, engage with its citizens. With the European Parliament elections coming up in May, it is especially important that people understand the EU and how it impacts all of us,” said Committee Chairman Michael Healy-Rae TD.

“Irish people are very supportive of the EU, and always have been. We appreciate the solidarity that EU partners have shown to Ireland during these negotiations. When it really mattered to us, European solidarity was very clear,” Deputy Healy-Rae said. “We still have a long road ahead of us to agree the future relationship, and of course the draft Agreement still has to be considered by Westminster and the European Parliament, so a lot of uncertainty remains.”

The meeting in Committee Room 1 can be viewed live here.