Micheál Martin welcomes European Commission President to his home city

By Bairbre Holmes, Press Association

The Taoiseach has officially welcomed European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen to his home city of Cork.

Von der Leyen landed there on Thursday as part of a visit the European Commission traditionally takes to each country at the start of its EU presidency.

She was greeted by Micheál Martin and Lord Mayor of Cork Damian Boylan at City Hall, where she was presented with a vase etched with the slogan for Ireland’s presidency – “Ní neart go cur le chéile – Strength with unity”.

Ireland took over the presidency of the Council of the European Union on Wednesday, with a ceremony at Dublin Castle attended by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.

The College of Commissioners is also travelling to Cork, its 27 commissioners along with Von der Leyen make up the political leadership of the European Commission.

Cork man and former Fianna Fáil Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath, is Ireland’s EU commissioner, with responsibility for democracy, justice, the Rule of Law, and consumer protection.

Over Thursday and Friday, several meetings will be held, including between the Taoiseach and Ms von der Leyen and others between Irish ministers and European commissioners.

Martin and Von der Leyen will also chair a plenary session.

The arrival of such a large number of dignitaries means there is a huge security presence in Cork, with events concentrated in the University College Cork campus, Cork City Hall, Tyndall National Institute and Hayfield Manor Hotel.

Ahead of meeting Von der Leyen, Martin said he plans to raise “Israel’s persistent and egregious breaches of human rights and international law”.

Asked about this statement by reporters on Thursday, he said: “It’s not dependent on the presidency alone that we raise these issues.”

He said there has been “a lot of progress at the Foreign Affairs Council recently”, but added there are “quite a number” of EU countries who have “different views to Ireland” on “the Palestinian issue and Palestinians’ right to self-determination”.

He added: “The issue of trade with the occupied territories is one that can be dealt with and should be dealt with at a pan-European Union level.”

During their visit to the Tyndall National Institute, Ireland’s largest deep-tech research centre, Commissioners are due to hear from researchers about their work in semiconductors, advanced materials, and space.

While the Gardaí have said traffic restrictions for the visit will be kept to the minimum required, they have advised members of the public travelling through Cork Airport to allow for additional time due to possible temporary traffic restrictions.