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

We have had a wide-ranging discussion here this morning and have covered all of the major topics.

I refer to an editorial in The Irish Timesdated 2 June 2020 relating to Chancellor Merkel, which stated, “Europe’s longest-serving leader faces an Olympian test of her eye for detail, her nose for negotiation and her ear for compromise.” The article refers to Chancellor Merkel as “Europe’s safest pair of hands”. We are fortunate to have Chancellor Merkel in the Presidency at this particularly challenging time for Europe and I refer especially to the Covid-19 problem. Our witnesses have outlined the major concerns and issues in respect of the current Presidency and the incoming Presidency.

We had an unprecedented budget for unprecedented times yesterday here. The multi-annual financial framework, MFF, and the associated recovery fund are also unprecedented. It should not be lost on anybody that Europe will borrow money to get us out of this serious economic situation. I am hoping that by the time Portugal takes over, some of these issues will be off the agenda, that the recovery fund will be up and running and we will have an agreement or no agreement with the United Kingdom. One way or another, Brexit is coming to a conclusion and like the other speakers, I thank both of our guests’ countries for the solidarity they have shown to the Irish situation arising from Brexit.

On migration and refugee policy generally and the Commission proposal, migration is a big issue in several European states and we have referred to the rise of nationalism and of populism. I hope the ambassador from Portugal does not mind if I ask the German ambassador a specific question. On the domestic opinion on migration in Germany, the ambassador spoke of the need for solidarity on a European level and the need to share the burden. Would that be a widely held view among the citizens of Germany? Is it a general humanitarian concern or an economic concern? We all remember the pictures on our television screens of Germany opening up its borders and the queues of refugees arriving in. That really made an impression and brought home the whole migration situation to all of us. I am interested to know what the domestic opinion is on this issue and why that decision was taken? Is there a strong humanitarian concern in Germany among its citizens?

Otherwise, I wish both of our guests well in their endeavours. We had a long discussion on the rule of law and on the conference on the future of Europe. The Irish model in the first phases of that went very well and the Irish citizens were significantly engaged with that process. I recall that the then Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, spearheaded that process.

I ask that my one specific question be addressed.