Ierse premier: Iers voorzitterschap gaat over stabiliteit, banen en groei (en)

There is no doubting Ireland's commitment when its politicians say their upcoming Council presidency will be about stability, jobs and growth. It's been one of the countries that has been hit the hardest by the crisis, forcing it to embark on drastic reforms. On 29 and 30 November EP president Martin Schulz i and the Parliament's political leaders hold their Conference of Presidents meeting in Dublin Castle, where they discuss the upcoming presidency with Irish politicians

Priorities

Tackling the crisis will be one of the priorities of the Irish presidency. Taoiseach Enda Kenny i explained how they would go about it: “The Irish Presidency will be in the business of solutions. The difference we intend to make will be all about three objective: stability, jobs and growth.”

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore, who is also the foreign affairs minister, added: “Ireland stands ready to execute an effective and efficient presidency".

Mr Schulz referred to the failure of the European budget talks when he said: "Finalising the euro zone i banking union will burden the Irish presidency." He also highlighted the importance of regulating the financial market. “In a country which was severely affected by the crisis and is still under enormous pressure, the understanding for such necessity is higher than in other countries."

Presidency

This will be the seventh time that Ireland will be in charge of the Council presidency and it coincides with the 40th anniversary of the country joining the EU.

EP visit

On 30 November the EP's political leaders will meet the speakers of the two Houses of the Irish Parliament, leaders of the political groups and the Irish minister for Europe. Mr Schulz will have a meeting with Michael Higgins, the president of Ireland.