Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have a few questions as well. To follow up on Deputy O'Rourke's point regarding your engagement with fellow Europeans on the Brexit process, there is huge interest among Europeans in the future of the Northern Ireland peace process. People become quite interested when one mentions it. Is that your experience? People really want to see prosperity, peace and progress in the island of Ireland and they remember the awful times we have lived through. That is something we must push with our fellow Europeans.

I agree with everything you said about Turkey and the need to respect human rights, the rule of law and democratic norms and freedoms. You were very diplomatic in taking up Deputy Brophy's point. We have serious concerns about what is happening there. I often wonder if Turkey is a genuine, traditional European country at all. However, perhaps you will comment on the recent comments by President Erdogan that the EU-Turkey deal is now under threat and on his threat to open up the borders for migration and so forth. I believe we must take a strong line, although I appreciate that as a Government Minister you must be diplomatic on these issues.

Finally, with regard to accession countries, there is no mention of Georgia. What is its position in the scheme of things? Is it somewhat down the road? It is making great efforts to comply with EU norms, so perhaps you would comment on that.