At the end of January, a delegation of fourteen Cork County Council staff and local representatives underwent a packed three day study visit to Brussels.

Starting in the Irish Permanent Representation’s new Cortenberg building, the delegation heard about the role of the Irish Regions European Office and the Irish Delegation to the EU Committee of the Regions from Head of Office Teresa Lennon.

Rounding out the first day of their visit, the group met Cynthia Ní Mhurchú MEP, Micheal O’Conchuir, Secretary General, European Alliance Group, and Nigel Hutson, General Affairs Attache, Irish Permanent Representation to the EU.

On day two the delegation visited the European Commission to first meet Paul Tuinder to discuss renewable energy, followed by meetings with Victoria Petrova to discuss tourism and Stephanie Gantzer-Houzel and Tsvyatko Velikov to discuss local and regional funding opportunities.

The highlight of the visit was a meeting with Commissioner Michael McGrath, where they learned about his new portfolio and discussed Europe’s impact on local and regional politics.

The group then visited the European Parliament to meet with Ireland South MEPs; Billy Kelleher, Sean Kelly, Kathleen Funchion, and Cynthia Ní Mhurchú.

Day three involved meetings at the Irish Permanent Representation to the EU to hear about the role of the the Representation in EU decision making as well as presentations from Lisa Underwood, Energy Attaché and Rob McGuinness, Environment Attache for Ireland.