DG GROW Director General Ms. Kerstin Jorna, Tommy Hogan Regina Bushell Ciaran Mulland Ms Marie Helene Pradines head SME Policy at the Commission. | Longford Leader
Longford MEP Ciaran Mullooly brought a delegation from Athlone Chamber of Commerce to meet senior officials in Brussels earlier this week.
This week in Brussels, as the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union moved firmly into gear, Longford MEP Ciaran Mullooly brought a delegation from Athlone Chamber of Commerce to meet senior officials in the European Commission and the European Parliament.
The Independent Ireland MEP said the aim was to directly address some of the most pressing challenges facing businesses across the Midlands region.
“Businesses in the Midlands cannot afford to view Brussels as something distant or disconnected from their everyday reality,” MEP Mullooly said. “Decisions taken here affect their ability to recruit workers, access funding, trade across borders and compete within the Single Market.
“My objective was to bring the voice of Midlands businesses directly into the rooms where those decisions are shaped.”
The delegation, comprising Chamber President Regina Bushell and CEO Tommy Hogan, met Kerstin Jorna, Director-General of DG GROW, the European Commission’s powerful department responsible for business, industry and the Single Market.
Discussions on the EU’s long-term budget and the potential for Irish SMEs to gain greater access to the European Single Market were at the top of the agenda.
The Director-General outlined the Commission’s work to tackle barriers preventing businesses from fully accessing the Single Market.
DG GROW has identified what it calls the “Terrible Ten” – ten pieces of legislation regarded as among the greatest obstacles to doing business across the EU – and is now working with Member States to address them.
Upcoming legislation relating to products and the digital marketplace was also discussed, allowing Athlone Chamber to bring the perspective and practical experience of Midlands businesses directly into the conversation.
From the Chamber’s side, Regina Bushell and Tommy Hogan highlighted a range of barriers facing Irish SMEs seeking to operate and expand within the European Union.
An ongoing dialogue has now been established to examine how some of those challenges can be addressed.
“This was not a ceremonial meeting or a simple exchange of views,” MEP Mullooly said. “Athlone Chamber brought practical examples of the barriers businesses face, and those concerns were heard at the highest level of DG GROW. The important outcome is that the conversation will now continue.”
The delegation’s second meeting with the European Commission focused on skills shortages and labour-market pressures.
The group met Manuela Geleng, Director of Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (EMPL).
While education and training are not direct competences of the European Union, the discussion examined best practice in other countries and the tools, programmes and funding available at EU level for the Midlands to help bridge the skills gap.
A major focus was the Commission’s work on worker mobility and migration, both within the European Union and from outside the EU.
The European Qualifications Framework was identified as one potential mechanism to make qualifications more easily understood and recognised and to help address workforce shortages.
The lack of skilled workers permeated the entire conversation. Commission officials also outlined a number of initiatives and projects for developing skills in the Midlands, including the Pact for Skills and the European Alliance for Apprenticeships.
“Skills shortages are no longer a future concern they are already limiting the growth of businesses across the Midlands,” MEP Mullooly said. “We need to make sure employers know what European programmes exist, how they can engage with them and how the Midlands can benefit from successful approaches already being used elsewhere.”
The discussion concluded with funding opportunities available in 2027 for Athlone and the greater midlands region through DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion.
The meeting marked the beginning of a longer conversation, with further information and input expected to be provided by Athlone Chamber to the European Commission in the coming weeks.
Athlone Chamber also engaged heavily at the European Parliament, where the delegation met senior officials and other Irish MEPs over the course of their visit to Brussels this week.
Mr Mullooly said the visit was about turning access into opportunity.
“Athlone Chamber came to Brussels with serious questions and practical proposals, and it left with new relationships, direct contacts and clear avenues for follow-up.
“This is what we had planned for and I hope that this will be the first of many such successful visits. I look forward to welcoming the Chamber back to Brussels in the near future.”
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