Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Like other colleagues, I very much welcome the Windsor Framework and pay tribute to the Tánaiste and his officials and to his work as Taoiseach in that regard. I also pay tribute to the former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Coveney, for his efforts over recent years, and indeed those of the current Taoiseach's officials and all other parties concerned. I agree with the Tánaiste. I hope it will lead to continuity, stability and improved British-Irish relationships, which have deteriorated over recent years, especially since Brexit. Like all colleagues, I look forward to the assembly getting back up and running as soon as possible, but I agree with Senator Craughwell's point that time should be given to people to look at this agreement in detail. We have been waiting since May of last year for the assembly to get back up and running. If it takes an extra few weeks for that to happen, that time and space should be given, particularly to the unionist community. I also pay tribute to the British Prime Minister for the efforts he put in to achieving this agreement. We all know it has not been easy for him.

To agree with other colleagues, Deputy Brady, the Cathaoirleach and I had the great privilege of being in New York in May of last year to attend the meeting of the UN Security Council. The Minister of State, Deputy Brophy, was presenting there. It was great for us to experience the work the then Ambassador to the UN, H.E. Geraldine Byrne Nason, and her officials and colleagues were putting in at the Security Council. We were all very honoured to see what they were doing and the work they were carrying out on our behalf. Indeed, I wish H.E. Byrne Nason well in her new appointment as the Ambassador of Ireland to the United States. The current Ambassador to the UN, H.E. Fergal Mythen, is doing an excellent job with his officials, as the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, other colleagues and I witnessed recently. We should be very proud of our officials all over the world, but in particular at the UN. We have witnessed their work first-hand. The ambassador, H.E. Mythen, has been heavily involved in the peace process over many years. I pay tribute to him on this occasion of the Windsor Framework agreement being reached.

Senator O'Reilly quite rightly has raised the issue of the EU membership applications of Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia. I note that in June 2022, the European Council said it recognised the European perspective of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia. It stated quite clearly that the future of these countries and their citizens lies within the EU. Like Senator O'Reilly, I would be grateful if we could get an update on those applications.

I note an investigation into the four leaks from the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines is still ongoing. What information can the Tánaiste give us on that? I appreciate he may not be able to give us all of the facts, but what facts can he give us about that attack?