Press release
Minister McEntee attend EU General Affairs Council
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister of State for European Affairs, Helen McEntee T.D., will represent Ireland at a meeting in Brussels of the European Union’s General Affairs Council on Tuesday the 19th of November.
The meeting will prepare next month’s European Council. The December European Council will hold a substantial discussion on the EU budget (MFF) for the period 2021-27. Leaders will also return to the issue of Climate Change, aiming to finalise the EU’s long-term strategy and climate ambition to be provided to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 2020.
Ministers will also discuss enhancing respect for the Rule of Law within the Union, including an exchange of views with the Director of the EU’s Fundamental Rights Agency and consider the evaluation of the Annual Rule of Law Dialogue.
The Finnish Presidency will also update Ministers on the state of play in relation to the Enlargement and Stabilisation and Association process.
The meeting will allow Ministers to continue engagement with regards Brexit.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, the Minister said:
“I am looking forward to engaging with our EU partners in the General Affairs Council. We have several important issues on our agenda today, the chief of which is enhancing respect for the Rule of Law within the Union. The Rule of Law is a fundamental principle for all EU Member States and Ireland welcomes the priority that is being given to this subject by the Commission and by the Finnish Presidency. I will also avail of the opportunity to continue engagement with my European counterparts on Brexit.
“The issue of climate action is one that faces us all. Last week during science week we opened the doors of Dail Éireann to our young people to hear their concerns and ideas about this global issue. I will be bringing the expressed urgency and the message of our young people to my European colleagues.”
In December 2014 the European Council adopted conclusions establishing an annual political dialogue to promote and safeguard the rule of law in the Member States and in the European Union. Four rounds of this dialogue have taken place. The dialogue was reviewed in 2016 and now again in 2019.