The Taoiseach:

I thank the Deputy. It is a combination but a lot will be dictated by progress on fundamental reforms and issues within the European agenda. For example, the multi-annual financial framework stands ready to be adopted in 2027. In the latter part of next year, there will be serious discussions on the nature of that framework. There will be fairly tough negotiations. They are already starting. That will be a key issue. We can prioritise the theme of our Presidency. A lot of work has been done; the Department of foreign affairs started planning well over a year and a half ago and brought on additional staff. In my Department, we have 9.8 whole-time equivalent staff working on European Union issues. The combined staffing complement of the Europe unit and European Union policy unit, which falls under the remit of the assistant secretary, EU and international division, currently consists of two principal officers, three assistant principal officers, three higher executive officers, 0.8 executive officers and one clerical officer. Further preparations are under way for the Presidency, working with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. There will be a range of agenda items for us to resolve, such as the savings and investments union. It is an important reform given the tariffs coming from the US. Europe has to get more competitive. We have to be able to start and scale up our own small enterprises. The European Union is losing a lot of capital at the moment due to the absence of a capital markets union. We also need to double down on the Single Market. It was estimated by the Draghi report at 48%, I think, in terms of the existing barriers to trade in the European Union, notwithstanding the Single Market. It could be the equivalent, I think, of 48% in tariffs. If we got rid of them, there would be far greater efficiencies. It is even higher for services - well over 100%. There is that whole agenda of the Single Market, the savings and investments union and dealing with those issues. The nitrates derogation is another.