Martin promotes Irish graduate jobs in EU institutions

The Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin has encouraged Irish graduates to apply for new positions that will shortly be available in the European Union institutions.

It is expected that more than a thousand positions will be offered annually to graduates from across the EU to work as administrators, linguists and support staff in the EU institutions.

Speaking at a seminar organised today by the Department of Foreign Affairs for the career services of third-level colleges, the minister highlighted the new opportunities for graduates which will become available in March.

Mr Martin said: "Since our accession in 1973, Ireland has provided many distinguished European public servants at the highest levels. Ireland and Europe have benefited from the competence and dedication of our country men and women who work in the EU. It is of the greatest importance that Irish candidates have the necessary information and support to compete effectively and take full advantage of the exciting opportunities on offer."

The Minister also stressed the importance to Ireland of a balanced national representation within the EU institutions.

"It is also in Ireland’s interest that Irish graduates have an equal opportunity to work for the European Union with the prospect of advancing, through their own merits, to the very highest levels of the EU’s administration.

"The Lisbon Treaty means that the work of the institutions will grow in importance in the coming years. A union of twenty-seven or more States will be increasingly dependent on efficient and dedicated international staff."

Further information about the European Union is available at www.eumatters.ie.

Information on career opportunities for graduates and non graduates will also be available on the web site of the European Personnel Selection Office http://europa.eu/epso/index_en.htm.