“An ambitious agenda,” Calleary outlines Ireland’s EU Presidency priorities in Brussels
Mayo Minister addresses the European Parliament committee on social inclusion, quality jobs and workers’ rights
Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary has presented Ireland’s priorities for its Presidency of the Council of the European Union to the European Parliament’s Employment and Social Affairs Committee during a visit to Brussels.
After leading the Informal Ministerial Council meeting in Ballina on July 6, Minister Calleary addressed the committee today (Thursday, July 16).
The Mayo Minister outlined Ireland’s focus on advancing key social priorities over the next six months, including promoting social inclusion, creating quality jobs and strengthening equal rights to improve the quality of life for EU citizens.
Minister Calleary also reaffirmed Ireland’s commitment to supporting efforts to reduce the disability employment gap across Europe and to create a more inclusive and competitive workforce.
The Minister said the Irish Presidency will lead discussions on supporting high-quality employment in modern labour markets while developing major European initiatives, including the EU’s first Anti-Poverty Strategy, the Quality Jobs Roadmap and Act, and the forthcoming Fair Labour Mobility Package.
Speaking after the meeting, Minister Calleary said he welcomed the opportunity to present Ireland’s priorities to members of the European Parliament and looked forward to working closely with them throughout the Presidency.
He noted that the discussions built on last week’s Informal Ministerial Council meeting in Ballina, which focused on tackling social exclusion, protecting workers’ rights while enhancing competitiveness, and improving employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
“The Irish Presidency of the Council has an ambitious agenda, focused on the central themes of competitiveness, values and security, guided by the enduring principle of ‘Ní neart go cur le chéile’ – there is no strength without unity,” Minister Calleary said.
He added that cooperation across all EU institutions would be essential to building a future in which every European has the opportunity to thrive in a changing world.