LAST UPDATE | 8 May

TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN described his meeting with the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Belgium today as “constructive and engaging”.

The Taoiseach was set to make the case for the EU to take a firm stance on the issue of conflict in Gaza during the meeting.

It is understood he also reaffirmed Ireland’s call for an immediate ceasefire between the Israeli military and militant group Hamas, the release of all hostages and the end to Israel’s blockade on aid, food and water into the region.

In a post to X after today’s meeting, Martin said the pair discussed the latest developments in EU and US trade negotiations, EU-UK relations, competitiveness and “the situation in Ukraine and the Middle East”.

Fáilte ar ais chuig an mBruiséil, dear @MichealMartinTD.

I’m truly looking forward to our collaboration.

Our discussion touched on some of the most pressing issues of our time.

From enhancing Europe’s competitiveness and strengthening the single market, to advancing trade and… pic.twitter.com/bkcT3JVnxg

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) May 8, 2025

Von der Leyen and the EU have been repeatedly criticised by Irish politicians and the public for not taking a tougher stance on the actions of Israel in Gaza.

The bloc has repeatedly condemned Israel’s retaliatory response in Gaza but has been criticised for not taking stronger action to prevent attacks on the population or put an end to the blockade on the region.

Kaja Kallas, the European foreign affairs commissioner, said last night that the EU has offered to assist Israel in the distribution of aid “if they don’t trust other actors there” despite multiple independent UN agencies operating in Gaza.

More than 20 UN experts yesterday said countries are at a moral crossroads over their response to Israel’s escalation of hostilities. One said that Israel had sought to shut down the existing aid system run by UN agencies and NGOs.

Martin said ahead of the meeting yesterday: “It has been over fifty days since food, medicines and other essential supplies entered Gaza. Israel’s continuing humanitarian blockade is pushing Gaza closer to a hunger crisis. This must be lifted immediately.”

Tánaiste Simon Harris this week joined five of his European counterparts to warn of the dangerous new escalation to the violence in Gaza after the Isreali government confirmed plans to launch further attacks and displace its population.

The ministers’ letter said that Israel’s plan would be “crossing yet another line”. Both Martin and Harris condemned the announcement this week, with the Taoiseach labelling the blockade as a “war crime”.

 Tariffs

Martin and von der Leyen also discussed US tariffs and their potential impact on the Irish and European economies.

It comes as negotiations between the EU and the US are still ongoing following a 90-day pause to 20% tariffs imposed on member states by President Donald Trump last month, which is due to lapse in July.

Ireland, France and Italy managed to successfully lobby von der Leyen’s Commission over March and April to remove whiskey, spirits and other alcohol from their countermeasures to the US tariffs, but the taxes still pose a threat to growth.

Speaking in the Dáil earlier today, Tánaiste Simon Harris said European counter measures due to be published today should be met with “cool heads”.

Earlier this week, finance minister Paschal Donohoe said growth in employment levels will begin to slow later this year as a result of the tariffs, which could cost between 80,000 and 90,000 new jobs in Ireland.

With reporting from Jane Matthews