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

That is what I am coming to. There are a number of formulations from different groups of countries that bring proposals together about institutional reform and what the merit-based approach should look like, considering current geopolitical uncertainties, especially with Ukraine. The Lithuanian minister and a number of experts came to an informal meeting a number of months ago, sharing what they believe the shape the future should have. The Netherlands supported its efforts. There are also the Group of Friends to Foster Qualified Majority Voting and friends of unanimity - many different actors in this process of what a new European Union will look like, increasing with potentially six counties in the Western Balkans and the eastern trio. We have to look at each of those proposals from the perspective of what it would mean for Ireland. The Deputy and Cathaoirleach both quite rightly stated that the Franco-German group put a very challenging position on the table about Commissioners, qualified majority voting and treaty change. We are very clear that the Treaty of Lisbon is proof of enlargement and that there is capacity to work to expand the Union. We have just discussed the horrific circumstances in Israel and Palestine. When member states do not all agree on a particular course of action, the more we move to qualified majority voting for some very important decisions, the more we will end up with the European Union not speaking with one voice. One of the strengths we had through almost 11 rounds of sanction packages relating Ukraine was how striking it was to see the Union speak with one voice. That is why Ireland is very clear that any move to qualified majority voting should not be in the absence of stress-testing, debating decisions and trying to form consensus, for which we have always been a catalyst. I would take it as just a report by experts that will be discussed at length in a long process.

There are huge discussions at every meeting we are at on enlargement and what it would look like. We have to continue to work from an Irish perspective on that and look at our history in terms of how we have benefited from being members of the Union historically, and at what we can bring to the table from our shared experiences and having the EU Presidency in 2004 when we welcomed ten member states in. We have to continue doing that.

Regarding migration, it is a second big effort trying to get agreement from the Justice and Home Affairs Council, JHA, onto the trialogue where it is currently at. It is in that negotiation process. Ireland has not made a decision at government level yet as to what course it will take. Obviously, there is more detail to be worked out through the trialogue but we will update the committee as soon as a position is reached by the Government.