Press release
Minister Byrne holds talks with key Commissioners in Brussels on COVID-19 and Rule of Law
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, Thomas Byrne TD, visited Brussels on Monday 22 March for a series of meetings with members of the European Commission. Among the issues discussed were the continuing challenges posed by COVID-19 and the Rule of Law.
Speaking about the visit, the Minister said:
"The meetings today were part of my work to continue to develop and strengthen Ireland’s relationship with all the key EU Institutions, including President von der Leyen’s Commission. I was very pleased to meet with a number of Commissioners to speak about some of the most pressing current issues on the EU agenda, and not least coordination in relation to COVID-19 and the roll-out of the vaccination programme. I also had an opportunity to discuss the rule of law, which Ireland views as a core value of the European Union."
During his visit, Minister Byrne met with Mr. Didier Reynders, Commissioner for Justice; Ms. Věra Jourová, Commission Vice-President for Values and Transparency; and Ms. Mairead McGuinness, Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability and Capital Markets Union. Minister Coveney and Minister Byrne also met with Mr. Maroš Šefčovič, Commission Vice-President for Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight.