A delegation from the Southern Regional Assembly (SRA) met with MEPs and European institute representatives during a two-day visit to Brussels at the end of June. 

The trip featured a presentation by Michael O’Conchuir, Secretary General of the European Alliance group, who provided the eight councillors and three assembly members with an overview of the work of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) and the impact of the Irish delegation.

This was followed by two presentations from Commission officials – firstly DG Regio official Kai Stryczynski, who offered an analysis of the role of Cohesion Policy in Ireland, and then an introduction to the New European Bauhaus from fellow DG Regio official Tatiana Gouveia Coelho de Oliveira.

The SRA delegation also had an opportunity to meet their regional representatives Sean Kelly MEP, Billy Kelleher MEP, Deirdre Clune MEP and Chris MacManus MEP in the European Parliament.

They also met with Grace O’Sullivan MEP to discuss the forthcoming Nature Restoration Law. This was followed by a meeting with Alessandro Giordani, Head of Unit at DG Communication, who introduced the delegation to the network of EU councillors. 

It also featured a presentation from Enterprise Ireland’s Grainne Ryan about the opportunities for local government in the Horizon Europe programme. And concluding the visit IBEC’s Neil Wolloughby offered an overview of Irish business interests in EU policy.