EU Commission Vice-President Margot Wallström visited Cork and Dublin on Thursday 11 and Friday 12 June where she met with members of local and national civil society organisations to discuss a range of European issues.
Vice-President Wallström spent the first day of her visit in Cork where she met Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Dara Murphy. Mrs Wallström also visited the famous "English market" and met and chatted with local traders in the company of the Cork Chamber President, Mr Ger O'Mahoney.
On her arrival at Cork, Mrs Wallström said: "I'm very pleased to be back in Ireland to continue meeting and talking to people. I'm especially pleased that I have time to get to Cork on this visit; I know I'll see a bit more of the real Ireland! It was great to see such a good turnout in the European elections – Ireland gave an example to many other countries!"
Later in the afternoon of 11 June, Vice-President Wallström met with members of the public at an open forum in Gloria Jean's Coffee Shop on St Patrick's Street. This event, hosted by the European Movement Ireland, gave people the opportunity to talk about Europe and how it shapes everyday life.
In the evening Vice-President Wallström addressed representatives of Irish women's organisations on the subject of "Challenges for Women in these Difficult Economic Times" in an event chaired by the broadcaster and journalist Olivia O'Leary.
On Friday 12 June, following a couple of media engagements in Cork, Vice-President Wallström flew to Dublin where she addressed an audience of young people in the new IKEA store in Ballymun, in an event chaired by Andrew Burns of Generation Yes.
This was followed by a meeting with representatives of the Women for Europe organisation before the Vice-President flew back to Brussels.