To mark Europe Day 2011, there will be a special sitting of the Dáil today, during which speeches will be made by the Taoiseach, Commissioner Maire Geoghegan-Quinn and Ireland’s MEPs who will focus their attention on the future of the EU and Irelands place within it.

The plans were welcomed by Minister of State for European Affairs, Lucinda Creighton, TD, who highlighted that it is proof the Government is delivering upon its commitments in the Programme for Government. She noted that “it re-launches Ireland’s involvement and active participation in Europe and begins a new phase in cooperation between the Government, the Oireachtas and the European Institutions. This event begins a debate about how we can repair relationships with our European partners and how we can engage constructively with them”.

Minister Creighton is set to announce today support for twenty projects under the Department of Foreign Affairs Communicating Europe Initiative. Minister Creighton will also visit Paris and Berlin during May for a number of meetings including a meeting with French Minister for European Affairs Laurent Wauquiez.

The Tánaiste will also visit London on May 9 where he will have meetings with Foreign Secretary William Hague, Deputy Prime Minister Clegg and Leader of the Opposition Ed Miliband.