What Ireland’s EU Presidency means for Waterford
Taoiseach Michael Martin, Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky and President of the European Council António Costa, during discussions today in Dublin
From today until December 31, Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU), assuming a central leadership role at the heart of EU decision-making.
For six months, Ireland will chair Council meetings, guide negotiations, broker agreement between Member States and help shape EU laws and policies.
At Dublin Castle today, the opening ceremony of Ireland's presidency was held.
Those attending the ceremony included political leaders, diplomats and ambassadors.
Alongside Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Government ministers, were President of the European Council Antonio Costa and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky.
As part of Ireland's presidency, each county in the Republic of Ireland has been paired with an EU Member State.
Waterford has been paired with Denmark for the duration of the Presidency.
Mayor of Waterford, Cllr Liam Brazil, said today that “the significance of Ireland holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union cannot be overstated.”
He added that it also marks an opportunity for Waterford to build lasting friendships, share and learn.
To mark the beginning of Ireland's Presidency, the EU flag was raised at Waterford City and County Council’s Civic Offices in Dungarvan today by Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Liam Brazil.
The partnership between Waterford and Denmark will continue throughout September and October, when the Chargé d’Affaires a.i of Denmark to Ireland, His Excellency Mr. Ole Egberg Mikkelsen, and Ireland's Ambassador to Denmark, His Excellency Kyle O'Sullivan, will visit Waterford for a programme of civic, cultural and community engagements.
Following an official mayoral welcome at City Hall, the ambassadors will tour the North Quays Public Infrastructure Project.
The delegation will then visit one of Waterford's Active Travel Safe Routes to School (SRTS) projects. This visit will provide an opportunity to compare with similar indicatives being delivered in Denmark, known as "Heart Zones", which also aim to reduce traffic around schools to create safer environments for children.
The ambassadors will also experience a journey on the Waterford Suir Valley Railway to Mount Congreve House and Gardens.
Day two of the visit will begin at the Southern Regional Assembly, where the delegation will receive an update on Climate Transition Towards 2050, looking at Waterford and the South East's decarbonisation roadmap at an event which will include both Waterford and Danish Climate Action policy makers.
The morning will continue at Garter Lane Arts Centre with a cooking demonstration by a celebrated Danish chef, live music and presentations exploring the rich Viking heritage shared by Denmark and Waterford.
In October, Waterford City and County Council, the Southern Regional Assembly and South East Technological University (SETU) will host an event focusing on the Irish experience of sustainable urban development and mainstreaming of New European Bauhaus into cohesion policy.
The Bauhaus initiative promotes built environment solutions that aim to respect the diversity of places, traditions and cultures in Europe and beyond.
(Funded by the Local Democracy Scheme)
