Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I refer to Ms Nolan's contribution and we have the full work programme here. I will address an element with the MEPs relating to Europe as a stronger global actor. I welcome this great opportunity to engage with Ms Nolan and our MEPs. Mr. Matt Carthy, MEP, mentioned Greece. Given that this week we ratified partnership agreements with Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine, what is the collective attitude of the witnesses to eastern or southern partnerships or the notion that Europe has on its periphery countries that are seeking to have a relationship with Europe? The stronger global actor element reads that there is a communication in European Labour Court policy coming up and the results of the European neighbourhood policy review will be presented.

In recognising what Mr. Carthy has said in recognising the will of the Greek people to return the type of government that it has, do any of the witnesses have any reservation about the fact that, for the first time I can remember, Greece has opted out of the condemnation of the aggression by the Russian Federation, which just recently murdered and slaughtered 30 innocents in Mariupol? The witness mentioned Greece, so I ask directly about the Greek position of opting out of the joint foreign affairs condemnation of the Russian Federation. Do the witnesses agree that Europe is healthier in having good relations with all of its neighbours, as well as the neighbours of our immediate neighbours? There was a division in the Dáil which tremendously upset people, and the Ukrainians in particular could not believe 19 Deputies voted against their association agreements.