Ireland not out of step with EU, says parliament president

Roberta Metsola said differences on trade and Israel do not make Ireland an outlier, pointing to strong pro-EU sentiment ahead of the country taking on the Council presidency

Taoiseach Micheal Martin greets President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola as they arrive at Dublin Castle for a meeting on Tuesday. Picture: Niall Carson/PA

Ireland is not out of step with the EU despite disagreements on issues such as trade deals and Israel, the European Parliament's president has said.

Roberta Metsola, the Maltese MEP who chairs the parliament, was in Dublin on Tuesday ahead of Ireland's assumption of the presidency of the European Council next week.