Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 15 June 2022

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs

Engagement with the French Ambassador

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

I thank the ambassador for his presentation. I congratulate the French Republic on its presidency. It has driven the EU forward with very ambitious plans, many of which are being realised. I also acknowledge the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, is giving real leadership to the EU at this time.

I have two questions following on from my colleague, Deputy Ó Murchú, on the Conference on the Future of Europe. What are France's plans, or aims and objectives, for the post-conference scenario? In particular, given the ambitions of the French Republic for the EU, I am especially interested in the issue of unanimous decision-making. Treaty change is linked to that. As the witnesses will know, we have unanimity on a number of issues, including taxation, accession and defence, which is a national competence. We have unanimous decision-making in a number of areas.

What is France's ambition now that the 49 proposals have been presented and the conference has concluded with 300 concrete measures?

My second question is about the war in Ukraine. We are told that the French President is in communication with Putin regarding a negotiated settlement. What is the policy objective of France in that regard and its strategy in dealing with Putin? We are told the Baltic states are not happy with the constant communication involving France, Germany and Italy in particular. What is Emmanuel Macron's strategy regarding his communications with Putin and bringing this war to an end or bringing about a negotiated settlement?

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