Offaly at the heart of EU Committee of the Regions in Brussels
Offaly delegation celebrate projects and products as Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union commences
THE Irish Delegation to the European Committee of the Regions, together with the Irish Regions European Office, the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly, the Northern and Western Regional Assembly and the Southern Regional Assembly, hosted a special welcome reception in Brussels to mark the commencement of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union earlier this month.
Entitled “Tionscnaimh agus Táirgí na hÉireann – Projects and Products of Ireland”, the event brought together more than 300 local and regional representatives from across Europe, alongside EU officials, MEPs and representatives of Ireland’s Permanent Representation to the EU.
The reception showcased the strength, innovation and diversity of Ireland’s regions and highlighted the significant contribution that local and regional authorities make to delivering European priorities on the ground. It also demonstrated the tangible benefits of EU membership, collaboration and EU co-funding for communities, businesses and citizens across Ireland.
The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) is the voice of regions and cities in the European Union (EU). It represents local and regional authorities from all 27 EU Member States and advises on new laws that have an impact on regions and cities.
Councillor Neil Feighery, CoR, said “In January 2025, following the Government’s recommendation, the European Commission appointed me along with my 17 Irish regional authority colleagues to the European Committee of the Regions. The voice of local and regional governments across the European Union, the CoR is a key part of the legislative infrastructure of the union. The CoR is an advisory body that issues opinions to the European Commission on its legislative programme. I was delighted to be part of the Irish delegation of the CoR who welcomed our President Kata Tüttő to Ireland last October. The event in Brussels on Wednesday built on our special relationship with President Tüttő and as Chairman of the LOETB, it was an honour to introduce President Tüttő to the groundbreaking STEM and STEAM programmes in Laois and Offaly as part of the wider event to mark the start of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.”
Offaly was represented by Offaly County Council and Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board, on behalf of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA) and Midlands Ireland, showcasing the region’s work in driving STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) in the Midlands. This flagship programme supports STEM education, skills development and innovation across the region. With the backing of European funding, the programme is already having a significant impact, with more than 62,000 young people engaged in a wide range of STEM initiatives
Working together with Midlands Ireland, the local authorities are playing a key role in developing essential STEM skills among young people across the region. This ongoing work is helping to lay the foundations for long-term regional transformation by equipping young people with the skills, confidence and experience they will need for the opportunities of the future.
Ray Bell, Offaly County Council said: “It was a real privilege for Offaly to represent the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly and the Midlands Region in Brussels, and to showcase the work being done through Driving STEM in the Midlands. We were proud to share with Kata Tüttő, President of the European Committee of the Regions, the work being carried out across the Midland Region to nurture these critical future skills and create new opportunities for young people. This programme is about creating opportunities for young people across Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath by giving them hands-on experience in robotics, coding, engineering and problem-solving. STEM skills will be central to the future economy of the Midlands, and through collaboration, EU support and strong regional partnerships, we are helping to inspire the next generation of innovators, creators and problem-solvers.”
STEM education in the Midlands is one work package within the Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan Pathway for Just Transition project, which is led by Midlands Ireland and funded through the EU Just Transition Fund. The project combines a series of work packages that advance skills development and capacity building, foster collaboration among domestic producers, and promote innovation and creativity within the Midlands local economy. The STEM education pillar brings a robotics programme to local schools across Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath, encouraging students to engage in robotics and STEM-related activities such as science, engineering, coding, mathematics, technology and computer science, while also developing teamwork and collaboration skills.
Councillor Sean O' Brien, delegate from the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly, said "I was delighted to see the STEM Project featuring in this major European display of projects and products of Ireland. This project was considered for inclusion in this event as it has a central focus on developing the future workforce of the Midlands, Ireland and Europe. Industrial development has radically changed in Offaly and the Midlands, and our youth require a vastly different set of skills and awareness of the choices they will have to make to secure their future. This STEM Project plays an important part in development of those skills and creating huge awareness among our youth of the need to develop particular skills and focus on subjects they need to study at all levels of education"
Eoghan Ryan, Chief Executive of Offaly County Council, added: "We are proud to see Offaly and the Midlands represented at the European Committee of the Regions as part of Ireland's EU Presidency programme. The Driving STEM initiative demonstrates the impact that strong regional partnerships and EU investment can have in creating opportunities for young people and building the skills needed for the future economy. Showcasing this work in Brussels highlights the Midlands as a region that is ambitious, innovative and focused on future growth."