Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Mrs. Bojadjieska Ristovski for her presence. She has travelled to be with us, which we appreciate.

Ireland, as a matter of principle, is in favour of enlargement. We believe it is good for the EU and the individual countries. It is also good for promoting regional stability. Unanimity is required at the European Council to bring in a new member state. That has obviously been one of North Macedonia's problems, given the objections from Bulgaria and Greece. North Macedonia has dealt with the Bulgarian issues. Is the issue with Greece large resolved now that the country has been renamed? Is that issue off the table and are the Greeks on board, so to speak, insofar as they can be?

During the French Presidency, there was a suggestion by President Macron of some sort of two-speed Europe in terms of enlargement, with some sort of lesser form of membership. I am unsure as to whether that suggestion got any traction, but I presume that North Macedonia wants to be a full member of the EU. There is no question of a two-tier membership. I believe that Mrs. Bojadjieska Ristovski has answered that question already.

Regarding how Ireland can help, Mrs. Bojadjieska Ristovski said that we must continue being vocal. Is that the only way we can help? Obviously, it is important that we be vocal at European Council meetings and at the various other meetings held by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister of State with responsibility for EU affairs. Is there any other way in which Ireland can help or need we only be vocal and proactive around North Macedonia's membership application?