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

I thank the ambassador for outlining his country’s programme. I agree with the four priorities he outlined for the Swedish presidency. Security and the war in Ukraine continues to be the major issue. As he is aware, Ireland pursues a policy of military neutrality and defence is a national competence, but I invite him to expand on the Swedish application, in association with Finland, for membership of NATO. Has there been a decoupling of that joint application? I ask the ambassador to bring us up to speed on developments in Sweden’s application. Where is Sweden at now with the application and the role of Turkey? I appreciate it is a Swedish domestic issue but I would be interested to hear the views of the ambassador on it.

On democratic values and the rule of law, it is time for the EU to bite the bullet. There seems to be a lot of backsliding in some member states, as well as in some applicant countries. Hungary is the bold child of Europe and Poland is not far behind it. Does the ambassador envisage a more strict line being taken in respect of these countries, with Article 7 proceedings and so on? It is coming to a head. Is there political will at the European Council to deal with this situation? I suspect there is not, but I would be interested in hearing the views of the ambassador on how Sweden, through its Presidency, intends to tackle that issue.

The ambassador mentioned enlargement and the western Balkans. There is very little movement in that regard. It is important for the geo-political situation. Ireland is commemorating 50 years of EU membership. I met the ambassador at a function last night at which the Taoiseach mentioned the western Balkans and the need for progress to be made in that regard. Will a priority for the Swedish Presidency be to make real progress in respect of these applicant countries? Is there the political will to do so?