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

I thank the Minister of State for his update. To follow up on the questions asked by Senator Chambers regarding the Northern Ireland protocol, we need practical solutions. The Commission has made its proposals and I hope there will now be constructive engagement. Vice President Maros Šefovi has risen to the occasion, consulted widely and come forward with these practical solutions. I am interested in hearing the Minister of State's view on the comments by David Frost regarding the European Court of Justice and his suggestion that it would not be an acceptable arbiter of any disputes.

I agree with what the Minister of State and Senator Chambers on the rule of law, with particular reference to Poland. To follow up on what Senator Chambers asked, what are the tools available to the Commission to deal with Poland and this issue? I understand some sort of legal process is under way under Article 7 and there is also the issue of funding. Will the Minister of State outline what tools are available to the Commission to deal with Poland?

I hope the Minister of State does not mind my raising an issue he did not mention in his opening statement, namely, the issue of enlargement in the context of the admission of the six countries that comprise the western Balkans. The summit in Slovenia does not seem to have been particularly successful. Presumably, the Minister of State can clarify that Ireland is totally supportive of the accession of the six western Balkans countries I ask him to comment on what happened in Slovenia and why the summit was not a particular success?