The Conference of Presidents – political group leaders as well as the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola – were in Dublin on 23 June to discuss priorities ahead of the Irish presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The EP leadership also held meetings with Ireland’s President Catherine Connolly and had the opportunity to visit Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin’s Phoenix Park.

Together with An Taoiseach Micheál Martin, government ministers and lead members of the Houses of the Oireachtas, the Conference of Presidents discussed a number of priorities for both the Parliament and the forthcoming Irish presidency – including competitiveness and the One Europe, One Market roadmap, the next EU long-term budget, external relations, enlargement and broader issues relating to EU values and security. The fruitful first exchanges with the Members of Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann pave the way for important interparliamentary meetings planned during the…