Another busy week just passed. Monday was spent out meeting local residents in Avondale House and North Strand with Patrick Martin and Cllr. Ray McAdam; two of our candidates in the upcoming local elections. I was particularly pleased to see the impact of precinct improvements in Avondale House carried out by Dublin City Council.
On Tuesday, I had good meetings both with Focus Ireland and Show Racism the Red Card, in an effort to support their work in Europe. Rest of day in meetings. Tuesday also notable for beginning to watch House of Cards!
Wednesday entailed full engagement with the political system as I attended the Oireachtas Committee on European Affairs in the morning to discuss issues from Bosnia to the agenda of the upcoming General Affairs Council. In the afternoon, I gave an overview of my Ministerial work to the Seanad and later in the day I was in the Dail for statements on Northern Ireland. Full spectrum engagement!
Thursday morning was spent preparing for my trip to Berlin which would take up the rest of the week. I was there to meet with my Ministerial opposite number; German Minister for European Affairs, Michael Roth, to discuss issues of importance to both our countries. I also met with representative from the biggest economic institute in Germany; the German Institute for Economic research, who were very keen to understand the Irish story. I finished the week with an address to the Konrad Adenauer Foundation entitled, Ireland- a committed member of the European Union. Overall, a very productive week (you can read a blog of my Berlin trip here: https://paschaldonohoe.ie/?p=39959). Looking forward to another busy one again next week….