Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have questions on a couple of areas. The Minister of State spoke about the multi-annual financial framework and the potential for adjustments. Could he elaborate a little further on that and what we might be looking at if additional funds are needed between now and 2027?

Regarding the issue of enlargement, the Minister of State has articulated very well what is coming down the tracks. There is a greater focus on that now because we have realised there is a vacuum and that if Europe does not move to bring other member states into the European Union, other influences like Russia may move into those areas. It is important for the long-term stability of the European Union that we enlarge. If we were to stand still, everything else would move forward and we would be the worse for it. Can the Minister of State touch upon the timelines we are looking at and any possible acceleration on that?

There has been a lot of commentary on the Franco-German proposal or paper. I would not be as alarmed as others are by it. I think it is a starting point for conversation. Somebody had to start the conversation. That may very well lead to a final point where there is no change to the voting system but that conversation has to happen. Even when we enlarged back in 2004, there were concerns that would not be manageable in terms of majority voting or with that large number of member states but we managed and it has worked fine. It is to our credit and benefit to have that solidarity and one voice. Over time, that argument will win out and that is certainly the argument we will be making. It is just a starting point for conversation so I would not get too hung up on it.

With regard to the number of Commissioners, an issue has been touched upon that if we had 35, 36 or 37 member states, it would be difficult trying to find a portfolio for every Commissioner. You could argue there are already two tiers of Commissioners because there are the sought-after portfolios and then the not so glamorous and not really talked about portfolios. That is already there. There are portfolios that are seen as a prize for best in class or for the more influential member states.