For immediate release
Dublin, 29 March 2020: Eurogroup President and Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe TD spoke at an online event with European Movement Ireland this morning to discuss his priorities as Eurogroup President, how they relate to Ireland, the anticipated post-pandemic recovery and the future economic and political integration in Europe.
Minister Donohoe TD said, “Covid-19 has been a tremendous challenge to all. We face a virus that uses the same qualities to infect that we rely on in Europe: our interconnectedness, our interdependence and our interconnectivity. However, there is also a tremendous sense of symmetry in our response. We have achieved an unprecedented level of coordination on economic and fiscal matters over the past year. We are also building new instruments, new safeguards and new tools. Some of these are already operational (SURE), while others (such as the Recovery and Resilience Fund) are underway and will soon be making a real and substantive difference in safeguarding the recovery. All of this is based on the clear goal of supporting citizens, businesses and countries in a time of great need.”
Maurice Pratt, Chair of EM Ireland commented, “The Eurogroup is a crucial and important body within the European Union as we look forward to the time when we can begin the economic recovery that will be necessary after the worst of the pandemic is over. As President of the Eurogroup, Minister Donohoe leads those efforts on behalf of us all. Ongoing and targeted economic and monetary support will be necessary to support a future recovery here in Ireland and across Europe. This timely event examines the priorities and determinants of the economic future of the Eurozone.”
CEO of EM Ireland, Noelle O Connell, who hosted this morning’s event, said, “The Covid-19 pandemic has delivered an unprecedented economic and societal shock to all members of the Eurozone and the entire European Union. This, along with other major developments such as Brexit and the upcoming Conference on the Future of the European Union, has raised profound questions about the future of our economies and the people who power them. Our conversation with Minister Donohoe provided answers to some of those major questions, from the Eurogroup’s immediate priorities in terms of managing the effects of the pandemic to long-term prospects with regard to economic and monetary integration in the European Union.”
The event is now available to watch back here.
#EMIEvents #Eurogroup
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Press Queries: Lisa Nic an Bhreithimh, Head of Communications and Education, European Movement Ireland | 087 9503539 | E: lisa@europeanmovement.ie
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Notes:
- Minister Donohoe was elected President of the Eurogroup on 9 July 2020. His two-and-a-half-year term began on 13 July 2020.
- Contact Lisa Nic an Bhreithimh to arrange for interview / comment – details as above.
- Tá urlabhraithe Gaeilge ar fáil le hagallaimh a dhéanamh leis na meáin Gaeilge.