Details of EU Presidency event in Mayo confirmed
As Ireland assumes the presidency of the EU Council of Ministers this week, as one of the first events of the Presidency, the Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary will be hosting an informal meeting of EU Employment and Social Affairs Ministers on Monday next, July 6, in Ballina.
Talking about what the event means to the local area, the minister said: “In line with the programme for government commitment to ensure that the entire country benefits from the profile that the presidency brings, to be able to bring the work of the EU to my home county on the western edge of Europe reminds us of the positive impact of the EU to both urban and rural areas.
"It is a great opportunity to show the best of what Ireland, and in particular the west, has to offer.”
The informal meeting will bring together European Ministers, representatives of the European Commission, the European Social Partners and European Civic Society organisations, such as the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), Business Europe, SME United and SGI Europe, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the Social Platform, to discuss shared employment and social policy priorities across the European Union.
The informal format of the meeting facilitates strategic dialogue and the exchange of perspectives ahead of formal EPSCO Council meetings in October and December.
Minister Calleary will lead the discussions on approaches to addressing and preventing social exclusion across the lifecycle, within the framework of the first European anti-poverty strategy, and on addressing the disability employment gap, particularly on identifying those policy levers, especially for employers, which will harness the skills and talents of disabled people for a more inclusive and competitive EU.
Minister Calleary stated: “I am delighted to host the first informal council meeting of the Irish Presidency.
"This meeting provides an opportunity to discuss issues that impact directly on European citizens’ lives – by building on EU’s strengths we will assist in future-proofing the EU as a good place to live and work.”
Continuing, the minister outlined: “At EPSCO, our presidency programme will demonstrate that our European values are not just abstract ideals but practical principles which underpins the fairness, trust and stability of the system providing the European Union with a clear economic and social advantage.”
Minister Calleary concluded: “I am looking forward to welcoming my fellow ministers and heads of delegation to Ballina, where our discussions will be framed by our shared belief that a more equal and more socially inclusive society, with the social cohesion that this engenders paying dividends that helps not just to sustain the economy but to fuel its growth and development.”
Minister of State, Alan Dillon at the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment will lead a discussion on a changing world of work, how to ensure the EU’s implementation and enforcement agendas support real protections for employment rights, while also supporting business and minimising the administrative burden.