Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for a very comprehensive overview of what has gone on in recent months. We appreciate that a number of meetings have taken place. As a former member of the committee, the Minister of State was well abreast of what was going on and his knowledge and experience shines through. His contribution today was very impressive, if I may say so. I have a number of questions and I will begin with the economic issues. As the Minister of State is aware, the article 13 conference established to monitor performance of the fiscal compact will take place next Monday and Tuesday in Rome. There will be an attendee from the committee and from the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform. ECB policies will be discussed and I also expect a discussion on Prime Minister Renzi's proposal that capital investment might be treated outside normal deficit procedures. Has the Minister of State come across discussions on this? How is the discussion evolving at European level?

My next question is on the rule of law. From his time as a member of the committee, the Minister of State is aware we started a number of discussions on this area. In recent weeks and months some European countries have started to question the European model of democracy, suggesting the democratic model pursued by European countries is too liberal and that we should look at a more illiberal democratic regime. Do we have thoughts on this? What discussions on this are taking place at European level?

With regard to the strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian region, I am glad to hear it covers the countries mentioned by the Minister of State. The committee visited Bosnia-Herzegovina last year and this year it visited Albania and Montenegro. We were very impressed with the performance of these countries and the steps being taken to improve their relations with the European Union. The Minister of State mentioned that he met the German Minister with responsibility for European Union affairs recently. I am aware the German government decided asylum seekers from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Albania and former Yugoslav countries which are non-EU members will no longer be entitled to asylum because the situation in their homelands has become peaceful. Is this view shared at European level? Are all countries, including Ireland, moving towards this model? I ask Minister of State to shed some light on this.