Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator.

I have a few questions. My first is on the declaration that the Swedish Presidency would seek to establish a comprehensive strategy for European competitiveness. Has the Presidency looked at the relaxation of state aid rules since last year, and its impact on European competitiveness? We can see that France and Germany, since March 2022, account for 77% of the €672 million approved in state aid. The concern from less financially robust countries is that Germany and France would be able to distort internal competitiveness with subsidies and supports. Is that issue encompassed by the Presidency and what does it propose to do about it? On a related issue, which is the United States and its stimulus packages, concern was raised at last week's Franco-German meeting about the impact that would have on Europe. Is that on the economic agenda of the Presidency, in terms of what might be done about it? My third question, and I ask the ambassador's forgiveness for straying beyond the remit of our invitation, but in his submission he states that democratic values or the rule of law are among the priorities Sweden has set for its Presidency. In that context, and as I was the Minister who introduced whistleblowing legislation into this jurisdiction, I ask him to reflect if he has seen the article by Michael Brennan in a recent Business Postconcerning the treatment of a whistleblower. His name has been published. It is Mr. Power. This treatment is by a company 60% owned by the Swedish telecoms company, Telia. Mr. Power is a constituent in Waterford, in a neighbouring constituency to my own. He has asked to meet with the ambassador to discuss these matters. Has the ambassador given that any consideration and would he give it any consideration? He may not wish, or be in a position, to respond to that immediately. Those are my opening questions.