Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for all their contributions. As the Taoiseach indicated, I will focus my remarks on the external relations items scheduled for discussion tomorrow in Brussels. I might touch on the fact that a number of Deputies have raised matters not on the agenda. The spring meetings always tend to discuss jobs growth and competitiveness and it is important for that tradition to continue, as such areas are of the utmost importance for member states, citizens, our economy and standards of living. At the same time, issues relating to Syria, Israel, Palestine and Africa are being raised by Ireland through the foreign affairs committee and in other formats. They are certainly on the agenda at a European level and we will continue to engage on them.

The European Council is expected to discuss Russia. This was expected in any case, given the fourth anniversary of Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea on 18 March, but at the request of the UK, the European Council is now likely to discuss and adopt conclusions on the nerve agent attack that took place in Salisbury on 4 March. It is something that I discussed with colleagues at the General Affairs Council and, for the most part, there was condemnation of such attacks. Ireland utterly condemns this reckless attack and we are at one with European partners and other member states in offering solidarity with the UK and supporting its efforts to ensure a thorough investigation so the perpetrators of this heinous crime can be held accountable. The use of chemical weapons, including the use of any toxic chemicals as weapons by anyone anywhere is unacceptable and abhorrent. The attack in Salisbury is not just an act against the UK but an affront to the international rules-based system on which we all depend. The UK has concluded that it is very highly likely that Russia was responsible for the attack and it has announced a series of measures in response. There is a very clear onus on Russia to address all the questions that have been raised about the attack in Salisbury, including providing full and comprehensive disclosures of the Novichok programme to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

The European Council will also discuss and adopt conclusions in advance of an expected EU-Turkey meeting in Varna on 24 March, where the EU will be represented by the Bulgarian Presidency, the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission. Ireland recognises the security concerns of Turkey after the 2016 attempted coup, but we are disappointed that Turkey's relationship with the EU remains under significant strain. Together with our European partners we have voiced our concerns about negative developments in Turkey with respect to human rights, freedom of expression and democracy, and the rule of law. There are also tensions in the eastern Mediterranean and we reiterate our call on Turkey to act in accordance with international law and respect the sovereign waters of its neighbours. It is fundamental to ensuring a positive climate in the region, not least so negotiations for the establishment of a comprehensive Cyprus settlement can resume. Ireland's overall position on Turkey is that the lines of communication must be kept open, and this was again stressed and reiterated by the Commission yesterday. Our view is the EU's continuing engagement is in the interests of the Turkish people, and to this end we support the 24 March meeting at Varna between the EU and Turkey.

On the western Balkans, the March European Council will also adopt conclusions ahead of the EU western Balkans summit, which takes place in Sofia on 17 May. The three main deliverables foreseen for the summit will be the reaffirmation of the European perspective of the western Balkans region, an enhanced engagement on connectivity, and an enhanced security partnership. The objective for the March European Council is to discuss the summit in these terms. Separately, the European Council will confirm that enlargement will be addressed by the Council in June. Ireland is a strong supporter of the accession of the western Balkans states. We welcome the Commission's strategy for the region published in February. I have visited Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro in February. It was an extremely useful and engaging visit. We will work with the Bulgarian Presidency to ensure the summit in May is a success.

I thank all Deputies for their statements today. The Taoiseach will report back to the House on Wednesday, 28 March on discussions at the European Council. A few questions were raised. Deputy Howlin raised the issue of the withdrawal agreement and the extension of a transition period. To my knowledge, there is nothing specific in the withdrawal agreement to extend the transition period past 31 December. The Commission has said it will keep this under consideration closer to the time. The issue of connectivity or connectedness between citizens was also raised. This is why we are having our Citizens' Dialogue on the Future of Europe meetings. I ask all Deputies to engage in the process and encourage their constituents to engage also.

On discussions in the North, I attended meetings recently where members of the SDLP, Ulster Unionist Party, UUP, and members from all political parties were in attendance representing the various council borders. I also engaged with different representative groups from industrial areas as well. We are engaging with as many groups as possible, and not just in the political sphere but outside of it as well

On the future framework and areas of the environment and other issues, it is important to note that a lot of this will fall into the future framework and what that looks like. I hope we can begin discussing that in greater detail after tomorrow's European Council meeting. However, I take the Deputies' comments into account.

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