182. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the range of topics covered and the outcome of his discussions in Cork with Members of the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53915/26]

The College of Commissioners visited Cork on 2–3 July as part of the traditional visit to the Member State holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. This marked the first collective engagement between the Government and the European Commission during Ireland’s Presidency.

The visit included a series of structured cluster discussions between Ministers and Commissioners on key policy priorities, including industrial competitiveness and the Single Market; agriculture, climate, energy and economic transition; security, external relations, defence, preparedness, trade and economic security; and values, skills, social cohesion and housing.

In my capacity as Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, I participated in the cluster discussion on Industrial Competitiveness and the Single Market. Discussions focused on the One Europe, One Market Roadmap, regulatory simplification, digital policy, the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), and the Savings and Investments Union. Ministers and Commissioners reaffirmed a shared commitment to strengthening Europe’s competitiveness and economic resilience while ensuring that regulation remains proportionate, supports innovation, and enables investment.

The visit concluded with a plenary session co-chaired by the Taoiseach and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The discussions demonstrated a strong degree of alignment between the Government and the Commission on the priorities for Ireland’s Presidency, underpinned by a shared commitment to advancing the Union’s legislative and policy agenda over the coming months.