Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Absolutely, yes. I raised this last week with the Georgian ambassador when I met him. He will relay our concerns. It is very concerning in terms of aligning with like-minded laws in the Russian Federation. However, we are prepared to continue working with Georgia to progress its application for candidate status. Ukraine and Moldova were granted that status at that particular juncture. Through the Commission, we are working with it on the various criteria it has to meet. Ireland is clear that meeting the rule of law criteria to be a member of the EU is important and is valued by our State. As we know, as we go through the various different evaluations through each Presidency, it is important to ensure there is commonality and no backsliding of democracy throughout the European Union. We are working hard with those countries. However, we are clear to point out, and I do at my various interactions, that we are pro-enlargement. We want give other countries that inspiration, hope and stability that we have gotten through membership of the European Union. It has been transformational for Ireland. There are many things that we are now celebrating in our EU50 events at the moment.