In March the Irish Regions European Office played host to seven Chief Executives from local authorities in the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA) area, together with Clare Bannon, A/ Director of EMRA. Beginning their two-day study visit in the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU, Teresa Lennon, Head of the Irish Regions European Office delivered a presentation on the work of the IREO and the Irish Delegation to the EU Committee of the Regions. Ms. Lennon also highlighted the work being done by the IREO to engage with local authorities across Ireland.

The group then met Director for Housing, Cities and Regions at the European Investment Bank (EIB), Tanguy Desrousseaux whom discussed funding opportunities for Local Authorities from the EIB and highlighted how the Bank is engaging with the Irish local government sector.

The final engagement of the morning was with Ambassador Cáit Moran, Deputy Permanent Representative of Ireland to the EU, whom outlined Ireland’s role within the EU and current priorities for Ireland ahead of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2026. This meeting provided an opportunity for the Chief Executives to explore potential areas of collaboration, as well as offer inputs on political priorities for the Presidency from a local and regional viewpoint.

The group subsequently transferred to the European Parliament to meet with nine of the Irish MEPs. This meeting gave the Chief Executives time to highlight issues in their region and how best to work with the MEPs to discuss potential solutions.

Following the meeting, the Chief Executives arrived at the Committee of the Regions and met Chiara Malagodi, Head of Cabinet of the President of the Committee of the Regions, Micheál Ó Conchúir, Secretary General, European Alliance Group, Sean O’Curneen, Secretary General, Renew Europe Group and Donal Kennedy, Political Adviser, European People’s Party Group. During this meeting Ms. Malagodi outlined the political priorities of the COR new mandate, as well as highlighting the important work being done by the Irish Delegation in the previous mandate. Following this, Mr.  Ó Conchúir, Mr. O’Curneen and Mr. Kennedy underlined the importance of the Irish Delegation for policy making in Europe and highlighted the work being done by the IREO in Brussels on behalf of the local government sector.

The group, again, began day two in the Permanent Representation with a presentation from Damien Flynn, Agriculture Counsellor. Mr. Flynn’s presentation showed the role of the Permanent Representation and the Legislative Process. This was followed by a meeting with Caoimhe Gavin, SME Counsellor, on competitiveness in the context of the Draghi Report and the Letta Report.

The group then turned their attention to EU Regional Policy Funding in Ireland with Kai Stryczynski, Programme Manager at the European Commission, whom discussed a myriad of funding opportunities including the European Regional Development Fund, Just Transition Fund, Interregional Innovation Investments and European Urban Initiative.

Concluding the morning’s meetings, Ludger Odenthal, Team Leader at the European Commission’s  Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs met the group to discuss job creation and SME policy and funding.

In the afternoon the group moved to the European Commission to meet European officials. They began with Fiona Knab-Lunny, Head of Cabinet of Commissioner McGrath. The group discussed ways in which local authorities can battle disinformation, the democracy shield and civic engagement.

The group then met Matthew Baldwin, Head of the European Commission’s Housing Task Force to discuss housing issues in their areas and where they feel Europe can contribute.

The group concluded their two day visit with a presentation from Aleksandra Klenke, Policy Officer, Sustainable Smart Mobility, Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport. Following her presentation, the group discussed the roll-out of electric vehicles across Ireland and how Ireland can transition to greener transport.