Tánaiste to attend meeting of EU finance ministers

Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris will travel to Brussels today for a two-day meeting of EU finance and economy ministers.

During the trip, Mr Harris will chair the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (Ecofin) for the first time as part of Ireland's EU Presidency.

The Tánaiste will hold a bilateral meeting this evening with Head of the International Energy Agency Fatih Birol.

Finance ministers will also discuss the energy crisis caused by the conflict in the Middle East.

It comes after US President Donald Trump said an interim agreement to end the war with Iran was "over".

During Ecofin, Mr Harris will present the priorities of Ireland’s EU Presidency.

A pillar of the EU’s Savings and Investments Union, called the Market Integration and Supervision Package (MISP), will also be on the agenda.

The package aims to make it easier for businesses to access finances and to strengthen the EU’s long-term competitiveness and financial resilience.

It is hoped that an agreement on the package will be reached at the October Ecofin meeting.

Speaking ahead of the meetings, Mr Harris said Ireland has a "rare opportunity" to "help shape the European agenda at a time of significant geopolitical and economic change".

"We have set clear priorities for the next six months, and I will work closely with my European colleagues to deliver on our shared commitments," he said.

The Tánaiste said Ireland is "determined to broker agreement" on the MISP.

"Reaching agreement on this package will help deepen Europe’s capital markets, support investment and innovation, strengthen competitiveness, and deliver tangible benefits for citizens and businesses across the European Union," said Mr Harris.