Burke says Athlone clinics will continue despite new European role
Westmeath TD Peter Burke is settling into his new role as Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, but he said the regular trips he would be taking to the continent would not interfere with his work in the constituency.
“As European parliaments return now after Christmas, I expect to be in Brussels, Luxembourg, Strasbourg and other European capitals on a very regular basis," said the Mullingar politician.
"It will be important to build strong relationships across Europe and my work in this regard has begun.
"However, I am acutely aware of my responsibilities at home and have made it clear to officials that on certain days of the week, I need to be constituency-based.
"I have a very busy constituency office as well as clinic schedule and this will remain unchanged, with my weekly Athlone clinics continuing to be ring-fenced in my diary," he said.
The Fine Gael representative previously served as Minister of State with special responsibility for local government and planning, but he was appointed to his new brief in the junior ministerial reshuffle last month.
"It is a great honour to be appointed the Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence," he said.
"The Taoiseach is eager that we maintain a strong presence at European level and to continue to build strong relationships with our European counterparts, in particular in the wake of ongoing Brexit protocol negotiations and the war in Ukraine."
Minister of State Burke this week met with Tánaiste Micheál Martin to discuss his new role.
"I sat down with the Tánaiste, who will be my line minister in the Department of Foreign Affairs, and he also stressed to me the importance of continued support from European Governments and EU Brexit Chief Negotiator Maroš Šefčovič, who I am due to meet in the coming weeks.
"He also informed me he will be taking on the role of Minister for Defence, along with Foreign Affairs, but from time to time I will have to stand in for him in a ceremonial capacity when the European brief allows.
"I have found Tánaiste Mícheál Martin to be a decent and hard-working politician and I know he will be a good colleague to have in the Department of Foreign Affairs," said Minister of State Burke.