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

The Presidency is in good hands. The ambassador's presentation was clear and concise as is the Finnish Presidency agenda on the promotion of common values and the rule of law, making Europe more competitive and socially inclusive, security and the protection of citizens and also on climate change, the need for a sustainable future and a sustainable Europe. The Finnish agenda is a manageable one and I have no doubt Finland will achieve its targets.

I refer to the question of common values, the rule of law and the need to restate the founding principles of the European Union. I have just questioned the Taoiseach in the Dáil on the recent European Council and the filling of the five positions in the institutions. I questioned him on the candidacy of Frans Timmermans and the goings-on within the European People's Party group. It is clear that the candidacy of Mr. Timmermans was opposed by Hungary, Poland and other eastern European member states which raises concerns about the role the Commission and the Union will have generally in enforcing the rule of law. Does Finland envisage any new initiatives on Hungary, Poland and other member states to ensure the founding principles of the European Union remain in place or is it a matter of the ongoing implementation of Article 7 procedures? There is a serious threat to the future of the European Union and it is something of which we must all be conscious. Are there new initiatives to be brought forward by the Presidency or is it simply a question of restating our aims and objectives and proceeding with the mechanisms that have been outlined so far?