Dara Murphy (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am jesting. I will finish up with some brief questions. I realise you have many questions before you, Minister of State. However, will you flesh out a little the rule of law initiative and how you see that proceeding? Reference was made, as is often the case, to working within current treaties. Will you give your assessment of the broader European view? Is there a shared position within the European Union to the effect that progressing within the current treaty structure is the way Europe should proceed for the foreseeable future or the near future?

I was in the Chamber yesterday when you addressed the House on the Ukraine issue, as did the Taoiseach and the leader of Fianna Fáil, Deputy Micheál Martin. There seemed to be broad agreement between all parties. Anyway, does the situation in Ukraine show up once again how ineffective European foreign affairs policy is? Has Europe the tools, the unity of purpose or the threat capacity to deal with any issues that occurs outside its borders? You have a lot of questions so we will give you the floor immediately.