Taoiseach to discuss EU presidency during Kaja Kallas’ visit to Dublin

By Gráinne Ní Aodha, Press Association

Priorities for Ireland’s presidency of the EU Council are among the issues that will be discussed during EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas’ visit to Dublin.

The vice-president of the European Commission was greeted by Taoiseach Micheál Martin at Government Buildings on Tuesday.

She signed the visitors’ book before posing for photos and being shown paintings of former Irish president, ex-taoiseach and founder of Fianna Fáil Eamon de Valera and Fine Gael founder Michael Collins.

Ahead of the visit, Martin said they would be discussing the EU presidency and Ireland’s objectives for the six-month period.

Martin has been visiting heads of state in recent weeks as Ireland prepares to take on the role as president of the EU Council from July.

The EU Council, representing the EU’s heads of government and ministers, is in charge of legislation and involves gatherings of EU ministers with similar briefs.

For six months, Ireland will take responsibility for planning and chairing EU Council meetings and negotiations, and representing the council in discussions with the European Parliament and European Commission.

About 30,000 delegates will visit Ireland over the six-month period, with meetings taking place over four-and-a-half months when the breaks over August and the Christmas period are excluded.