Taoiseach at European Council meeting

Taoiseach Enda Kenny will travel to Brussels today for a meeting of the European Council.

Economic policy, continuing work on the single market and progress on legislation for a banking union will be discussed by the leaders during the two-day event.

While in Brussels, Mr Kenny will also attend a Euro summit meeting that will take stock of the economic situation in the euro area.

Meanwhile the Tánaiste begins his trade and investment mission to the United States as part of a programme of events for St Patrick’s Day.

Eamon Gilmore, minister for foreign affairs and trade, is travelling to Atlanta, Georgia, where he will host a business forum for IDA client and target companies and will brief senior management from Coca-Cola and UPS – both major Irish employers – on recent positive economic developments in Ireland.

Mr Gilmore will also travel to New Orleans and Washington during the trip, which is focused on promoting trade, tourism and investment-related activity with Ireland.

The Taoiseach and Tanaiste will both meet president Barack Obama at the White House next Tuesday, Mr Gilmore said: “As our number one export market and the source of 80% of all foreign direct investment to Ireland, North America was a key target for us in devising this year’s ministerial travel programme.

“The US south-east in particular is a priority area for us and Atlanta is very much the economic engine of the region. A lot of the growth in the US over the next 20 years will take place in the south-east.

“This is another opportunity to highlight the progress that has been made in restoring Ireland’s international reputation and putting the economy back on a sustainable path.”

The Tánaiste is one of 19 ministers travelling to 21 countries to take part in over 150 business events and 30 high-level political meetings as part of St Patrick’s Day promote Ireland programme.