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

I am conscious of time so I will confine myself to a few remarks. I thank Mr. Popowski for his briefing on the enlargement situation with particular reference to the western Balkans. In his contribution he spoke about the future of Europe, which is the background of all of our discussions. Brexit was a big shock to us all. It was a big shock to us in Ireland, but also a shock to the European Union as a whole. Various people have outlined their vision for Europe, including Jean-Claude Juncker as Mr. Popowski mentioned, and President Macron made a very important address to the European Parliament recently. We in Ireland agree with some of what he said and perhaps not more. We have concerns about his proposals for the reform of the eurozone.

President Macron struck a chord on the vision for Europe, the need to promote European values and to recommit to those values. He is concerned about the rise of illiberal tendencies throughout the European Union, especially in some of the member states. Turkey is a case in point although it is not in the European Union, as is Poland. Concerns have been expressed about Poland but more particularly about Hungary. Is the European Commission concerned about this? I know some of the clauses of the treaty have been invoked to deal with this situation with regard to some of the member states. It is a concern in any discussion on the future of the European Union and a vision for the European Union to see these illiberal tendencies breaking out in various member states. It is something of which we and the Commission always have to be conscious of. It is something we have to deal with. What is the Commission's view of this threat to the future of the European Union?

Like other speakers I fully support the enlargement of the European Union and this has always been the Irish position. The last great enlargement took place during our Presidency when many central and eastern European states joined the European Union and it was a great cause for celebration. We cannot be seen to be pulling up the ladder. We have done well out of the European Union and we need to extend the benefits of the European Union to other applicant countries in the interests of peace, prosperity and progress, especially in the Balkan region, which has been a source of instability throughout modern history. If reforms are encouraged and supported, we as member states of the European Union should be fully supportive of their applications.

I note the deteriorating situation in Turkey, having regard to what I have just outlined, and the early general election on 24 June. It does not bode well for Turkey getting into the European Union. While it would be of great benefit to Europe to have Turkey in the European Union, that day is getting pushed back more and more and this is regrettable.