Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish the ambassador and her country well and every success in holding the Presidency of the European Union for the first time. I have a few questions to ask and comments to make.

The ambassador referred to "an open and innovative European economy." I understand this involves the protection and promotion of the European Union's four freedoms: the free movement of goods, persons, services and capital. As I am sure the ambassador will know, Brexit poses a real challenge to Ireland in that regard. It threatens to impose a possible hard border on the island and physically stop these four freedoms. Will the Estonian Presidency explore these issues separately from the negotiations? Will Estonia be involved in discussions or talks in that regard?

We are particularly interested in hearing the ambassador's view on the Irish Parliament's call for the North to be given special status within the European Union. We believe a special status would ensure that the four freedoms are protected on the island.

Another headline in the ambassador's statement was a safe and secure Europe. Earlier my colleague mentioned our concerns. I note that the Estonian priority includes an increase in defence expenditure. Earlier I mentioned to the Minister of State the proposal to spend €1.5 billion on developing European defence co-operation and the EU-NATO partnership. My party does not support the measure. I am sure the ambassador is aware that Ireland is a neutral country. Perhaps it is not as neutral as my party and possibly many people in this country would like it to be. Successive Irish Governments have eroded our neutrality over the years. People believe that many of the steps that we have taken within the European Union has eroded our neutrality. I oppose the militarisation of Europe. I oppose a military alliance and the creation of an EU standing army. Can the ambassador convey her Government's view about the creation of an EU standing army? Does her country support or oppose it? Does she think an EU standing army is a necessity? Is Estonia happy with NATO? Does Estonia believe NATO meet its needs? Does the ambassador agree that military expenditure should be a national issue rather than an EU one? I believe military expenditure should come from national budgets rather than EU ones.

I am conscious that many people in Europe have survived difficult hardships. Many of us would like the EU to prioritise investment in health care, education, jobs and ways to improve the quality of people's lives. Therefore, many of us oppose investment to make Europe a fortress.

Earlier the Minister of State talked about Europe being involved in peacekeeping. Is Europe involved in peace enforcement? There is a huge difference between peacekeeping and peace enforcement.

In terms of digital Europe and the free movement of data, Estonia places a high priority on technology and the technological industry. Many people view Estonia as leading this sector in the EU. In fact, I have been told that the only thing that an Estonian citizen cannot do online is get married, divorced or sell one's home. Estonia is way ahead of us in technological terms and voting is an example.