EU Presidency event a 'great opportunity' for Mayo
Minister of State for Employment Alan Dillon has said hosting an informal EU Presidency meeting in Ballina gives Mayo a chance to showcase its culture, heritage and economy to an international audience.
Speaking on the doorsteps of St. Mary's Secondary School in Ballina, Minister Dillon said Ireland has not held the EU presidency since 2013 and that it was important events were held outside of Dublin.
He was joined at the event by Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary who chaired the earlier meeting. Minister of State Alan Dillon said it was unique that two ministers from the one constituency could take part in the occasion in their native country.
Asked whether the event amounted to bringing "a bunch of bureaucrats" to his own constituency to show off, Minister Dillon rejected the suggestion.
He pointed to the economic benefits for hotels and local businesses, and said a visit to Foxford Woollen Mills the previous evening had given visiting ministers a taste of Irish culture and hospitality.
He said Tuesday's sessions would focus on delivering a more competitive and secure Europe, with Ireland acting as an "honest broker" in the discussions.
On the employment front, Minister Dillon addressed concerns over the future of Aughinish Alumina, confirming the Government continues to engage with the European Commission while an ongoing investigation is completed.
He said the Government values the jobs and the security they bring to the region, and that it would work constructively with the EU to ensure a satisfactory and honest outcome once the investigation concludes.
Minister Dillon said Ireland's domestic economy remains in good shape, with over 2.8 million people at work. However, he acknowledged challenges around digitalisation, AI adoption and workforce mobility.
He said the Government is focused on ensuring workers are trained and skilled to adapt to the AI revolution, with continued investment in further and higher education. He cited a 13% increase in new start-up companies in Ireland as evidence of a strengthening enterprise base, alongside continued support for SMEs through Enterprise Ireland.
On the disability employment gap between Ireland and the rest of the EU, Minister Dillon said a new national strategy for disability includes an employment strand co-chaired by the Department of Social Protection and the Department of Enterprise.
He said a cultural shift is needed among businesses to bring more people with additional needs into the workforce, describing the issue as a combination of cultural and structural barriers. He confirmed the first meeting of an enterprise forum on the issue has already taken place, aimed at driving best practice across the business sector.
Asked what EU counterparts are seeking to learn from Ireland, Minister Dillon pointed to Ireland's right to request remote working, which he said has directly benefited counties like Mayo.
He said over a million people nationally now work remotely or in a hybrid capacity, reducing the need for workers to relocate to major cities.
He described the policy as a "game-changer" for many families and said the Government intends to strengthen it further for both employees and employers.