Minister for Foreign Affairs calls for proposals to Celebrate Europe Day

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Idirlíon/Internet: www.dfa.ie Ríomh Phost/E-mail: press.office@dfa.ie

Minister for Foreign Affairs calls for proposals to Celebrate Europe Day

Mr. Micheál Martin, T.D., Minister for Foreign Affairs, today encouraged voluntary organisations and educational bodies who wish to organise local events around the country to celebrate Europe Day, to apply to his Department for funding under the "Communicating Europe Initiative".

Minister Martin said:

"I am keen to promote greater public awareness and understanding of the European Union and its vital importance for Ireland. Europe Day on 9 May offers an excellent opportunity to encourage public interest in the EU.

I look forward to receiving applications from groups who are interested in organising local events on or around 9 May to celebrate Europe Day and from organisations who seek to raise awareness about Ireland’s membership of the European Union ".

Note for the Editor

The Communicating Europe Initiative (CEI) was established in 1995 to raise awareness about the European Union and to improve the quality and accessibility of public information on European issues. The Department of Foreign Affairs administers the funding and the closing date for the receipt of applications for the current round of funding for Europe Day is 6 March 2009. Application forms and further details are available from our website: www.dfa.ie or by contacting:

Ms Maura Duffy,

EU Division,

Department of Foreign Affairs,

76-78 Harcourt Street,

Dublin 2,

Tel 01 408 2500

E-mail maura.duffy@dfa.ie

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Press Office

13 February 2009