Press release
Minister McEntee attends meeting of Ministers for European Affairs
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
Minister of State for European Affairs, Helen McEntee, T.D., will join her EU Ministerial colleagues today by video conference, for a meeting of Ministers for European Affairs.
Ministers will discuss the EU plans for a comprehensive economic and social recovery, including an adjusted Multiannual Financial Framework and the accompanying recovery instrument. Ministers will also focus on coordination in the de-escalation of containment measures across the EU.
Ahead of the meeting, Minister McEntee said:
“The EU will be central to the recovery strategy of all Member States. Our citizens want and expect the EU to be ambitious and transformative in its response to this unprecedented crisis. I commend the strong support and solidarity continuing to be demonstrated at EU level, including the recent EU crisis response package of economic and financial assistance totalling more than €540 billion.
“I look forward to the Commission’s detailed proposals for a Recovery Fund and revised Multiannual Financial Framework which are due to be published shortly. These proposals will hopefully provide renewed impetus to the efforts to agree a new EU Budget for the period 2021-2027, one in which Ireland will continue to prioritise the importance of maintaining and safeguarding the CAP”.
Minister McEntee also highlighted some of the EU measures that are helping Ireland respond to the Covid-19 crisis:
“Two State Aid packages have been approved by the EU for Ireland, both worth €200 million, which allows us to support our affected companies and those who have lost their jobs because of this crisis. The EU is supporting farmers and fisherpersons by approving state aid measures for their sector, by making the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund more flexible and approving measures for private storage aid for the dairy and meat sectors.
“Medical research and innovation has also been supported by the EU, including funding a project coordinated by Irish company Hibergene Diagnostics, which has now developed a rapid molecular diagnostic test for the coronavirus which just received the CE mark.”