Mr. Phil Hogan:

No, I did not say that. I said there was a political dimension to this issue. I am sure people in the foreign affairs arena would be able to update the committee on it. I am only stating the facts, namely, that President Juncker has tried in recent days, through correspondence, to open up dialogue with Russia in regard to trading opportunities. I am sure if that were to arise there would be trade-offs in relation to economic sanctions. There is a window of opportunity opening up because of matters in the Middle East.

On civil liberties, security and migration, in the context of the problems being experienced across the European Union, because of the actions of terrorists we will enjoy a little less privacy but more security in relation to the legal situation in member states. That is not the fault of the citizens who are law abiding rather it is the fault of the people who wish to engage in this type of irresponsible action and terrorist activity. What happened in Paris has changed everything. In my view, it is effectively the 9-11 of the European Union. We should remember that people in Belgium and other member states across the European Union are living in fear of what may happen in the future. The legal situation in every member state in terms of the power of the legal authorities therein to deal with these matters is, I expect, under review. It is a fact of life that when people take the law into their own hands and as a result of their actions 129 people are killed, changes to the legal systems and legislation to deal with that activity must be expected.

On the point made by Senator Colm Burke in regard to maternity benefit and the self-employed, there is no agreement in the European Union on these matters.