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Senior European leaders have largely ignored an Irish government invite to an EU summit in Ballina, Brussels media is reporting.
The two-day Employment and Social Affairs Ministers Council had been taking place in the Mayo town this week, with the event being one of the first gatherings for EU ministers held under Ireland’s Council presidency.
According to a report by Politico, however, no major EU ministers turned up for the event, which was held in a local secondary school building.
The Brussels-aligned outlet claimed that of Europe’s 27 member states, none bar Ireland opted to send a cabinet minister to the gathering.
This has reportedly disappointed some Irish diplomats behind the event, one of whom commented that senior European politicians were missing out on exploring the West coast.
“It’s a shame if people aren’t coming because it’s in a beautiful part of the country,” they reportedly said.
It is not the only recent gaff regarding the presidency. One of the key flights between Brussels and Dublin run by Aer Lingus was reportedly cancelled at the last minute on Sunday, leaving a number of senior EU officials stranded.
The aircraft operating flight EI631, which is regularly scheduled to depart Brussels Zaventem airport for Dublin, reportedly encountered technical difficulties that prevented the trip from taking place.
Aer Lingus’ next flight on the route was scheduled to depart at 9:25 pm that night. However, it too was delayed, only getting off the ground at nine minutes to midnight local time.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has been approached for comment.
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