Press release
Tánaiste and Minister for European Affairs Welcome Europe Day
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
The Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence Micheál Martin TD and the Minister for European Affairs, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD have welcomed Europe Day 2024.
The Tánaiste said: “Europe Day provides an opportunity to reflect on the benefits membership of the European Union has given Ireland. By every significant measure, membership of the European Union is essential, and has been transformational for Ireland. Membership not only matters for Ireland, it delivers for Ireland.
“Ireland also delivers for the EU; we are at the forefront, shaping the EU's discussions on the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. The European Union we celebrate today is the embodiment of the idea that our differences can be resolved through peaceful cooperation and negotiation. Ireland will continue to be a voice for peace.”
Government Ministers and Members of the Oireachtas, accompanied by Ambassadors from European Union Member States as well as Heads of EU Institutions in Ireland, will meet young people in schools across Ireland over the next few days. The annual Europe Week of school visits programme is now in its third year.
Minister Carroll MacNeill said: “I am delighted to celebrate Europe Day by visiting Monkstown Park Junior School and Glenageary Killiney National School tomorrow (Friday) to hear directly from our young people what Europe means to them and to answer their questions on Europe’s future. This year’s programme of visits is particularly timely as we recently marked the twentieth anniversary of the Day of Welcomes, when the EU and the then Irish Presidency welcomed ten new Member States”.
“Europe stands for democracy. A strong EU ensures respect for human rights and the freedoms we all enjoy as citizen of Ireland and Europe. The EU protects and promotes the primacy of the rule of law.
“Ireland is proud to stand with Ukraine. I am honoured that Ukraine’s Ambassador to Ireland, Larysa Gerasko, will join me tomorrow as we continue to support Ukraine on its path to membership of the EU.”
Notes for editors
9 May, Europe Day, marks the presentation in 1950 of the ‘Schuman Declaration’ which led to the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community, the forerunner of today’s European Union.
ENDS