Liam Quaide
Ceist:127. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting with the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. [31758/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 19 May 2026
Ceisteanna (127)
Freagraí scríofa
I met with the Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, on 16 April in Berlin as part of my programme of meetings with Leaders ahead of Ireland’s EU Presidency which begins in July.
This will be Ireland’s eighth Presidency and we look forward to advancing the common European interest and improving the lives of citizens across the Union.
Irish Ministers will chair many dozens of formal meetings of the Council in Brussels and in Luxembourg, and will lead work to advance a positive policy agenda for all Member States. I had very constructive engagement with the Chancellor and briefed him on our preparations for the EU Presidency, which will focus strongly on issues including competitiveness and the ‘One Europe, One Market’ roadmap, negotiating the Union’s future budget, and enlargement.
We also discussed the economic challenges currently facing all EU countries, including the impacts of rising energy prices on our citizens and enterprises, security, and global issues, including the situation in the Middle East and Ukraine.
Ireland and Germany will continue to work constructively together on the full range of issues on the EU agenda.