Minister Murphy welcomes Juncker’s €315bn EU investment plan, Strasbourg

Minister for European Affairs and Data Protection Dara Murphy TD attended the European Parliament in Strasbourg today for a series of engagements with MEPs. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, in a speech to MEPs during the Parliament’s plenary session this morning, announced details of his eagerly-anticipated €315 billion EU investment plan.

Speaking in Strasbourg after the announcement, Minister Murphy said:

 “The €315 billion investment plan announced by Jean-Claude Juncker today is a very important and welcome initiative. Securing funding for investment in growth and jobs is a key priority for this Government.”

“The Irish Strategic Investment Fund and the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland are now in place. Irish officials have already been actively involved in identifying projects for investment as part of their role on a European Investment Bank Task Force, and have pinpointed, on a preliminary basis, over €10 billion of worthwhile projects.”

“Today’s announcement by the President of the European Commission will further boost the level of funding available for investment in commercially viable projects in Ireland.”

While in Strasbourg, Minister Murphy held meetings with MEPs from Ireland and Northern Ireland, as well as with MEPs Manfred Weber, Chairman of the EPP Group, and Danuta Hübner, former Commissioner and Chair of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs.

Speaking after the meetings, Minister Murphy said:

“I greatly value the opportunity to engage with Members of the European Parliament on a regular basis. I had a very positive meeting with MEPs from Ireland and Northern Ireland in Strasbourg today during which we discussed issues of importance to citizens and businesses, including the €315 billion investment plan announced today and negotiations on an EU-US trade agreement.”