Neale Richmond (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will try to keep my remarks to specific questions with minimal commentary. In regard to the multi-annual financial framework I would like to raise the timelines the Minister of State has laid out for Council adoption. Is this in order or is it a little bit shorter than it usually is due to obvious concerns facing the Union at the moment? What are the timelines laid out for the European Parliament's involvement in this process? I am delighted to see the Government putting so much emphasis on maintaining funding for ERASMUS+ and Horizon 2020. My main concern is that this must be accompanied domestically by encouragement and emphasis to make sure people are taking up those programmes. I am strongly of the belief that we are not taking up as many opportunities to send young people abroad through ERASMUS+ as possible. We need to maximise our opportunities to work with other partners through Horizon 2020, particularly with the UK leaving.

The rule of law is an issue I am extremely worried about. I know we have shared many discussions about it. I note the actions that have been taken and the ongoing work, particularly in Poland. However, the concerns I have relate to Hungary. What are the sanctions? I know what the European Court of Justice can do and the rules on which the Council can insist. If they are not adopted, what are the sanctions for a member state that continuously flouts the values of the European Union?

Alliances are particularly vital, especially when it comes to the multi-annual financial framework and other challenges connected to that, such as the renegotiation of the CAP and the possibility of new measures concerning taxation.

That is something we need to double down on. We need to build our multiple layered alliances, not only with one or two countries, be it the Hanseatic alliance or anything else. We really need to increase it.

I am delighted to hear we are opening a consulate in Frankfurt. I met the Irish ambassador in Paris. I strongly believe we also need a consulate somewhere in the south of France. It is such a big country and it is vitally important to our future diplomatic efforts within Europe. Overall, the amount we invested in terms of people, money and resources in our embassies across the EU has shown in recent years how good an investment that has been. It is time we doubled down on that investment. We need to strengthen our diplomatic footprint, not only around the world. I am enthused that we are opening embassies in Chile, a consulate in Vancouver and so on but we have to look after Europe first. There is great scope for us to increase that.

Within that outreach, was there any discussion at the General Affairs Council on the Minister of State's work in the eastern Balkans? I am considering future partners and potential future members, particularly in terms of the events as they relate to the area that is now officially North Macedonia and everything that is going on there.

It is hard not to mention the "B" word but we are 37 days away from it and the situation is becoming increasingly worryingly. I appreciate the Minister of State's comments on our preparedness in terms of the legislation. I was at the committee meeting, along with others, last Thursday when we got a good briefing from the Tánaiste. I look forward to welcoming him to the Seanad Chamber before St. Patrick's Day but hopefully we will not get to that point. I hope I will not have to welcome him to the Chamber but I will if needs be. What were the discussions in terms of comparisons at the GAC meeting yesterday? I know the French and the Dutch have taken a very different approach from the Irish in allowing Ministers far more direct powers to prepare for a no-deal scenario. What was the Commission's opinion on the work that has been done domestically by the Irish Government on our preparedness for it? Also, will the Minister of State outline the mood at the GAC meeting? What are the thoughts of our 26 partners in the European member states on the unfolding disaster we see in Westminster at present? Is the solidarity with Ireland still strong? I have no doubt it is but it is very important we relay that and that we continuously stress we are a European Union of 27 member states which are sticking together right until the last minute despite the concerns or outlandish desires of certain people in our commentariat?