EU role for Byrne as global geo-political situation intensifies

When Ireland takes over the Presidency of the European Union later this year, newly appointed Minister for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne, hopes to hold one of the presidential events in Meath.

“We will be trying to have as many of these events as possible around the country, but a lot of the visitors will want to be near an airport, and this is something I hope will happen,” he said.

The Meath East TD is returning to his role as Minister for European Affairs, following last week's announcement of ministers of state by the Taoiseach, Micháel Martin. He is also appointed junior minister in the Department of Defence.

Both positions will be highly pressurised in the coming years as the global geo-political situation intensifies, with a focus on the defence policies of the European Union now more than ever, particularly as Donald Trump takes power in the United States and the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine continue.

He will work closely with both the Taoiseach, and the Tanaiste, Simon Harris, who is Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence.

“I am delighted and honoured to have been appointed as Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence by the Taoiseach,” Deputy Byrne stated.

“As the Taoiseach set out last week in the Dáil, a core priority for the Government will be to protect and strengthen Ireland’s position within the European Union.

“Next year, Ireland will take on the rotating EU Presidency. This provides a valuable opportunity for Ireland to promote positive actions across a range of social, economic, political and environmental fields. I am confident that Ireland’s Presidency will be defined by action and as European Affairs Minister, I look forward to joining my European counterparts in working to strengthen our Union.”

His role as Minister for European Affairs will see him play a major role in Ireland's presidency.

“We are preparing to do a good job for the EU and to show Ireland in the best possible light as we will have a lot of people coming to Ireland from other governments.”

In the Dáil last week, Minister Martin spoke of how the Minister for European Affairs would play a central role in who the government operates over the next number of years.

Minister Byrne said he firmly believed that Ireland’s place is at the heart of Europe.

He said that it is a completely different scene from when he was first Minister for European Affairs from 2020 to 2022. “The last time, Brexit was hanging over us. It is still a factor, but it is not hanging over every aspect. We are facing global challenges.”

As regards of a Trump led trade war with Europe, Minister Byrne said they will be as diplomatic as possible. “We will not react to anything provocative. We have build up a good relationship with both Republicans and Democrats and hopefully, we can build on that.”

He said it was important to have more Irish people working for the EU, here in Ireland, in Brussels and in Strasbourg.

“We haven't enough people working for the EU, which reduces our influence.”

“I am delighted that I will be working with the head of European Affairs in the Foreign Affairs Department, Maeve Heynitz. A former Ambassador to Mexico, she is originally Maeve Cleary from Navan,” he said.

The minister ruled out any threat to our neutrality from the European Union. “It is written into the Maastrict Treaty and the Lisbon Treaty. As a country, we will be looking at our own defence, but I don't see our neutrality coming under pressure.

“As a government minister, I will continue to promote the interests and needs of the people of Meath East and ensure that vital services continue to be delivered. I greatly look forward to working with colleagues at the Department of Foreign & Trade, the Department of Defence and at the Department of An Taoiseach, in seeking to deepen our European partnerships and advance Ireland’s interests in the EU.”