Fuel costs on agenda as Taoiseach, Chancellor to meet

Taoiseach Micheál Martin is in Berlin today to meet German Chancellor Friedrich Merz as part of his programme of meetings with EU leaders ahead of Ireland's Presidency of the EU Council.

The leaders will discuss preparations for Ireland’s presidency as well as bilateral relations and international issues.

Mr Martin is steadily meeting EU leaders individually ahead of Ireland assuming the presidency on 1 July.

At the Chancellery in Berlin, he will outline Ireland’s priorities which are expected to include competitiveness, EU enlargement as well as security and defence.

With Europe in the grip of an energy crisis as a result of the Iran war, despite the fragile ceasefire, both men are expected to discuss rising fuel costs, the situation in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine.

Next Wednesday, the European Commission will bring forward a fresh package of measures on fuel prices and leaders will address these on Thursday at an informal EU summit in Nicosia under the Cyprus presidency.

Chancellor Merz will set out Germany’s hopes and expectations for the Irish presidency.

But there are notable differences, including on how an EU-wide capital markets union should be supervised.

Following the meeting, the Taoiseach will join other EU leaders on a video call convened by French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss online safety and the protection of children.