Coinciding with the 156th CoR plenary session in July, a delegation from the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA) undertook a two-day study visit to Brussels, meeting MEPs, EU officials and Ireland’s permanent representation staff.

During their visit to the European Parliament, the delegation of eight councillors and EMRA Chief Executive Jim Conway met with several Irish MEPs, such as Barry Andrews, Colm Markey, Ciaran Cuffe and Clare Daly. Staff members from the offices of both Frances Fitzgerald MEP and Maria Walsh MEP outlined the nature of their work.

The EMRA delegation visited the European Parliament’s Hemicycle to see the conclusion of the 156th CoR plenary session. This was followed by a meeting at the Committee of the Regions office with Michael Collins, CoR’s Deputy Director. During their meeting he gave the delegation an overview of the work of the CoR as well as an outline of the role of the Regional Assembly in the CoR’s work.

The first day’s meetings concluded with a presentation from DG Regional Representatives Carmen Gonazalez and Miia Jouppi about EU Regional Policy programmes, including the Just Transition Programme, European Regional Development Funding and the New European Bauhaus programme.

The delegation also visited the Irish Permanent Representation to meet Fionnuala Bourke. Fionnuala, who outlined her role as Cohesion Policy Attache as well as the need to increase the Irish presence in top jobs in EU institutions.