Graduate To Europe, Says Martin

Irish graduates should apply for new positions that will shortly be available in the European Union Institutions.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin has encouraged young Irish people to seek EC jobs.

It is expected that over 1,000 positions will be offered annually to graduates from across the EU to work as administrators, linguists and support staff in the EU institutions.

Speaking at a seminar organised by the Department of Foreign Affairs for the career services of the third level colleges, the Minister highlighted the new opportunities for graduates which will become available in March.

"Since our accession in 1973, Ireland has provided many distinguished European public servants at the highest levels.

"Ireland and Europe have benefited from the competence and dedication of our country men and women who work in the EU.

"It is of the greatest importance that Irish candidates have the necessary information and support to compete effectively and take full advantage of the exciting opportunities on offer.

"This seminar will help the career services of our higher education institutes in guiding suitable candidates towards these prestigious careers," he said.

The Minister also stressed the importance to Ireland of a balanced national representation within the EU institutions

"It is also in Ireland's interest that Irish graduates have an equal opportunity to work for the European Union with the prospect of advancing, through their own merits, to the very highest levels of the EU's administration.

"The Lisbon Treaty means that the work of the institutions will grow in importance in the coming years.

"A Union of 27 or more States will be increasingly dependent on efficient and dedicated international staff," he continued, noting that he is "firmly committed to ensuring that Ireland continues to encourage and assist young Irish people to play their part in the development of the European project".

"An Irish presence of this kind will be an important way of ensuring that we hold the position at the heart of Europe for which the people voted when they ratified the Lisbon Treaty," he concluded.

(BMcC/GK)