Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will ask a question if nobody else wants to come back in. There is very little to say because it has been a very comprehensive discussion. I want to pick up on the ambassador's final point. Europe faces a very big choice in terms of its defence industry. The potential for an outcome in the US presidential election that would, for the first time since the end of the Second World War, leave Europe pretty much reliant on its own defences gives rise to major questions. That will play out over the very immediate term rather than the longer term. There will be an immediate impact on the ability to support Ukraine. While individual member states may take particular views on neutrality or their own positions in terms of military neutrality, there is no question that the collective European position needs to have an ability to have a defence industry. Otherwise, Europe will not be a player in the discussions on what is going to happen into the future.

I congratulate the ambassador and her country on the comprehensive programme they are looking to pursue. The timeline is incredibly short. I think she recognises that. The Presidency that runs into an election cycle is all about trying to achieve what can be achieved in a shorter period. From listening to the ambassador, the reassurance I take is that the focus is there. The far side of the election cycle will be very interesting for Europe. The European Parliament as we know it might be completely reshaped in terms of the membership. It falls to Belgium's Presidency to try to achieve a lot of things that we would like to see happen. I wish Belgium the best of luck.