Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs, Deputy Peter Burke. It is his first appearance before the committee since taking on his new role. I wish him every success in that role and into the future. Today we discuss matters arising from the General Affairs Council. All witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that one should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of any person or entity. Therefore, if a statement is potentially defamatory in relation to any identifiable person or entity the witness will be directed to discontinue his or her remarks and must comply with that direction. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside of the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I remind members of the constitutional requirement that members must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex in order top participate in public meetings.

I will not permit a member to participate where they are not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, any member who attempts to participate from outside the parliamentary precincts will be asked to leave the meeting. In this regard, I would ask any member participating via Microsoft Teams that prior to making their contribution to the meeting, they confirm they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus.

I remind members that masks should continue to be worn throughout the meeting by all present and should only be removed when speaking. I have a feeling that might have been left in from a previous cut and paste, but I thought it was worth throwing in anyway.

Having finished with all the housekeeping - and it has got way longer since the last time I did it - I call on the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Peter Burke, to make his opening statement to us.

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Cathaoirleach, and I wish him the best in his tenure as Chair of this very important committee. I look forward to working with him in the time ahead. I know he brings a huge amount of experience, building on the great work he did in the Department of Foreign Affairs over the last number of years. As a valued friend and colleague, I look forward to working very closely with him and with the members of the committee, many of whom I know well and have met on our various travels around the European Union, especially with the EU50 celebrations that are currently ongoing. I also pay tribute to my colleague, Deputy Joe McHugh, for his chairpersonship of the committee over the last number of years, and as members have articulated, he has been an excellent representative.

I thank the members for the opportunity to present to the committee this morning. The importance of EU engagement is particularly clear this year, with our EU50 celebrations. The last five decades have witnessed Ireland’s emergence as a modern, open economy and society, which has been shaped by reciprocal co-operation with our European partners.

The EU50 programme began on 22 January 2022, marking the anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Accession 1972. The programme has seen visits to Ireland by both the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, with each addressing special joint sittings of the Houses of the Oireachtas. The programme will conclude in May with a significant marking of Europe Day-Week. As Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs with responsibility for European affairs, I am particularly looking forward to the schools outreach programme that will build on last year’s successful programme, and which will again see Cabinet Ministers paired with EU ambassadors in visiting schools throughout the country.

As the committee will be aware, last week European Commission President von der Leyen and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that agreement in principle has been reached on the Windsor Framework. I have joined the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste in welcoming this new way forward on the protocol, which comprehensively addresses the real-life concerns raised. Working constructively together, the EU and the UK have navigated complex issues to reach sustainable joint solutions which offer stability and predictability for Northern Ireland.

The framework is foremost about the people and businesses of Northern Ireland. Goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland that will stay or be consumed in Northern Ireland will be subject to significantly simplified procedures, and it gives Northern Ireland’s representatives and stakeholders a greater say in how arrangements will apply in Northern Ireland. Consensus on the Windsor Framework marks the beginning of a new phase across the breadth of the EU-UK relationship, allowing us to forge a stronger partnership as we address global challenges.

Turning now to other priorities on the EU agenda, I attended the two most recent meetings of the General Affairs Council, GAC, in Brussels on 6 and 21 February 2023. These were, of course, the first two occasions on which I attended the Council in my new role, and it has provided a useful opportunity to meet with my colleagues and fellow EU affairs ministers.

At the 6 February Council, in addition to the main Council meetings, I had a series of introductory bilateral meetings with my Austrian, Slovakian and Finnish colleagues, while at the GAC on 21 February, I met with my Portuguese and Slovenian colleagues. The main focus of discussions and work at both February Councils was preparation for both the special European Council on 9 February and the regular March European Council, which will take place on 23 and 24 March.

The principal items of discussion at the special European Council on 9 February were Ukraine, competitiveness and the EU economy, and migration. President Zelenskyy, of course, attended the special European Council in person, having participated virtually in previous European Councils since the launch of Russia’s war of aggression in February of last year. Ukraine, the economy and migration are again likely to figure heavily in discussions at the forthcoming European Council in March.

In relation to the economy and competitiveness, a series of communications and proposals are awaited from the European Commission relating to the Single Market, the internal energy market and the proposed net-zero industry Act. These communications and proposals will be of great importance in framing the overall discussion for leaders. Ireland has consistently emphasised the importance of safeguarding and completing the Single Market, particularly in relation to the provision of services, as a key measure in promoting EU competitiveness. Similarly, the importance of maintaining a level playing field and limiting any proposed greater flexibility in the application of state aid rules is a priority for us in fashioning any EU response to developments such as the Inflation Reduction Act in the US.

Migration remains firmly at the top of the EU agenda at present, not least due to such tragic incidents as that which occurred last week in Italy when more than 60 people lost their lives, including very young children seeking to cross the Mediterranean. This tragedy again underlines the need for a comprehensive EU response, based on solidarity and responsibility, aimed at devising a fit-for-purpose asylum and migration system which can deal humanely - and in full accordance with international law - with the very considerable migratory pressures now existing on front line and, indeed, most member states, including Ireland.

The Swedish Presidency is prioritising progress in negotiations on the EU’s proposed pact on asylum and migration, and Ireland will continue to offer its full and constructive support to it in that regard. The General Affairs Council was also updated by European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefovi on EU-UK relations at its 6 February meeting.

Before concluding, I should note that both General Affairs Councils in February received updates from the Commission on the EU response to the appalling earthquake which took place in Türkiye and Syria on 6 February, and which claimed so many thousands of lives. Ireland, as the members know, has been very much part of the collective EU response, providing some €10 million in humanitarian assistance as well as our largest ever deployment of emergency stocks under the Irish Aid rapid response initiative. In the margins of the February GAC, Vice President Šefovi also chaired a discussion on strategic foresight.

I will be happy to address these and other issues in more detail with committee members and look forward to their questions.

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State. We have a number of members indicating. I call Deputy Howlin.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I wish the Minister of State, Deputy Burke, in his first presentation to this committee, every success in his work, although I have met him in his new role elsewhere.

Needless to say, the GAC always has a broad agenda. I want to focus on a couple of areas the Minister of State might focus on. First, I want to talk about the new Windsor Framework. I had the privilege of being in Belfast on Sunday and Monday at the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly. The plenary met, with some degree of irony, in the Assembly chamber in Stormont. Some MLAs said it was the first time they debated any issue since their election last May, and hopefully that particular issue will be resolved.

I have become familiar over the years with negotiations in relation to the impact on Northern Ireland sometimes being characterised by the euphemism "constructive ambiguity", to allow everybody to present issues in a very clear way. One of the difficulties that has beset, if you like, dealing with the protocol is that there is very little room for constructive ambiguity, because of the legal framework that needs to be tied down in European law, and clearly understood. One of the things I am not clear about yet - and the Minister of State might amplify his understanding of it - is how the Stormont brake is to work. My understanding, as it is presented, is that if there is an issue in relation to trade that impacts Northern Ireland in a way that is particularly disruptive, and if 30 members of the Northern Ireland Assembly from at least two parties sign a motion from, that goes before the full Assembly, and if the Assembly votes on it, the so-called brake can be activated but how this will work is not clear.

My understanding is that it is a matter for the British Government to respond by using some mechanism of mediation. The details of that are unclear so can the Minister of State answer a couple of questions on that aspect for clarity's sake? Will there be a requirement in the first instance both for the 30 initial MLAs to be not only from two parties but from both communities? Second, what will be the consequences if the brake is ultimately applied in terms of the disapplication of European law on trade in the part of the Single Market? That is certainly an issue that has been raised.

I also have an allied but different question. Because we have, quite understandably, been focused on the implications for Northern Ireland to settle that issue, there are also issues relating to direct east-west trade, from Great Britain into Dublin and Great Britain into Rosslare which is a port I am very concerned about and interested in. There has been a significant diminution of east-west trade into the southern and middle corridor routes, and a huge expansion of trade directly to continental ports with sailings from Rosslare to the Continent from six per week to 36 per week because of the land bridge issue, for example. Can the witnesses give any indication of when and how the application of the full treaty obligations will be applied, or will they be applied, which would impact on that east-west trade?

I have one other question but maybe if I could allow the Windsor accord issues to be addressed first that would be acceptable.

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Howlin for his questions. As I said, in the first instance it is very welcome that we now have a framework to really open a new chapter in the relationship with the UK because we are all aware of how important a very strong relationship with the UK is for peace and stability on our island and into the future there are many common issue with the EU and the UK. Specifically on the Stormont brake, as is in the agreement the requirement is for two political parties of 30 members to formulate the brake. This is in relation to an issue that adversely affects-----

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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For clarity, is it two political parties that involves the two communities?

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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No, it is just two political parties at the moment.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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So could it be two unionist parties or two nationalist parties?

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Yes, in theory absolutely. I want to point out that this is really an issue that has been set out and there is a mechanism that would prevent getting to that stage because there are a number of ways in terms of the joint committee between the EU and the UK that would be established to bring resolution issues and adjudication procedures to ensure that it hopefully never gets to that stage. Obviously, we have to plan for that eventuality where there is a variant with the Single Market and it adversely impacts, in the view of the MLAs of Northern Ireland, significantly on the citizens that mechanism could then potentially be employed. I know significant talks are under way with the UK Prime Minister to flesh out how that would work exactly. We are in close contact and awaiting those talks to bear fruit at the moment.

As for east-west trade and the final sanitary and phytosanitary, SPS, checks for the UK and the operationalisation of their infrastructure, it is very clear that the initial operational checks have to be in place by July this year, with a two-year window for final completion. The Deputy rightly articulately that freight has ballooned out through Rosslare going on to the Continent. This is something we will continue to engage with the UK authorities on in terms of their obligation to provide the significant checks that would be required for goods that are potentially going to the Single Market. It is something that our colleagues right across Europe are watching very keenly because they have put such a premium on the Single Market and the protection of it and they value it so highly. It is something that Mr. Michel Barnier raised with me in Paris in terms of underscoring how important the Single Market and the protection of it is. The Deputy is right that we have to be very careful about the path we tread regarding this but we will keep abreast of the situation and keep in touch with the committee as well.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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By way of a follow-up, firstly I meant to preface my own remarks by commending Mr. Maroš Šefovi for both his patience and perseverance. He has found a solution but I do not think it is one that will not necessarily have issues in the future. One instance that was put to me last week was if a construction company in Northern Ireland wanted to bid for a contract with the Department of Education in the Republic and imports steel, without tariffs, into Northern Ireland. That steel can then move into the Republic without any checks or balances, undercutting any potential bidder in the Republic for the same contract. How will these issues be addressed? Even the issue of a company in Northern Ireland importing steel from Wales within the single UK market without steel tariffs, and then a company in the Republic buying it in Northern Ireland without tariffs as part of the EU Single Market, would be a distortion of trade as well. Maybe the detail is too fine and granular to have been thought out yet but there are issues that will arise in the outworking of this agreement.

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Absolutely. I understand that steel would come in through an EU quota and would be treated as being from the EU because it is under the rules of that quota.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Is that into Northern Ireland?

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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It would be from Northern Ireland into the Republic of Ireland. Steel is treated under EU quota rules when coming into Northern Ireland so it has that accreditation. However, we will come back with other details regarding that.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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That is okay.

Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the Minister of State and congratulate him on his appointment. I watched the news on Channel 4 when the Windsor Framework was announced and the Minister of State came up live from Westmeath which I thought put Westmeath on the map. He did very well in explaining the Windsor Framework at that point. I know about the sensitivities of the Windsor Framework and that the Democratic Unionist Party, DUP, is currently studying it. Is there an implementation plan for the Windsor Framework at this stage? Obviously, the EU and the UK can proceed whenever they want, presumably, regardless of what the parties in Northern Ireland decide. I presume there will also be a vote in the House of Commons, maybe it will be a consultative vote I am not sure. I appreciate the sensitivities of it but I would be interested to know if there is an implementation plan. When is it hoped to have this framework agreement up and running?

I want to ask about Ukraine. I appreciate what happened at the special European Council meeting and that there is a tenth round of sanctions in place. I have two questions arising from that and if the Minister of State does not have the answers today I understand. Can the committee get a report on the assistance given by Ireland to Ukraine to date under the European Peace Facility? I know it involves the provision of non-lethal equipment but it would be right that the House continues to monitor that. On the EU military assistance mission in support of Ukraine, how well advanced is the training we intend to provide? What exactly will the Irish Defence Forces be involved in? I know there was talk of de-mining which Ireland has expertise on, and the decommissioning of explosives so anything the Minister of State can say on that would be welcome. My third question relates to enlargement.

What is the position now on Ukraine and Moldova? Presumably, that is being advanced. Yesterday, this committee had an informal meeting with public servants from Georgia, and I think they met with the Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday as well, and went through the 12 criteria. The committee travelled to Georgia last June, as the Minister of State may know. I think they were a little aggrieved that they were not considered at the same level as Ukraine and Moldova. Certainly, they are very keen to join the European Union. I just wanted to put that on record. I am sure the Minister of State knows this. I would be interested to get a report on Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia and, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs, how well Georgia is doing. I know that ultimately, it is a matter for the Commission.

I will leave it at those three questions.

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for his questions and kind remarks. On the Windsor Framework, the EU expects to get on with its work in the next month in terms of the regulatory framework and the regulations on foot of it. We do not have a timeline for the UK at the moment. Obviously, there are various sensitivities that they are working through with the five parties in Northern Ireland as well. We await an update on a definitive timeline. However, it is important to keep a robust trajectory in pointing out the merits of the deal through all sectors of the UK Government. It is very important for them to take ownership of that at this juncture to ensure that meets the criteria of all those involved.

Second, on Ukraine, we provided approximately €77 million through the European peace facility, EPF. That has been made up of items such as containerised water treatment plants, blood bags, food, armour and parts and spare parts for the electricity grid because they have had a significant number of outages. I found it poignant when I was speaking to my Austrian counterpart, the minister for European affairs. She told me she was in Kyiv when there a missile strike in a building adjacent to where she was staying. Austria is a neutral country as well. The firefighters who attended and rushed as first responders to that scene were wearing Austrian personal protective equipment. She could see the Austrian emblem on the back of it. That brought home to me the power a neutral state can have in assisting first responders and how valuable it is under the peace facility. We can provide the committee with a list of the various different components of what Ireland gives and brings to the table.

On assisting the mission, approximately 30 Defence Forces personnel have been approved to provide specialised and co-ordinated training with member states and training officers to assist in training in Ukraine. On the specifics of the mission and what type of training it is, we can revert to the Deputy. It is in line with the precedents of the many EU military assistance missions we have taken part in.

On enlargement, a number of countries in the queue have either candidate status, are approved and in negotiations, or are applying. The Deputy referenced Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova. In respect of Georgia, there are some significant issues still. On agents of foreign influence, we saw in the media last night a number of protests on this very concerning action.

Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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With fisticuffs involved.

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Absolutely, yes. I raised this last week with the Georgian ambassador when I met him. He will relay our concerns. It is very concerning in terms of aligning with like-minded laws in the Russian Federation. However, we are prepared to continue working with Georgia to progress its application for candidate status. Ukraine and Moldova were granted that status at that particular juncture. Through the Commission, we are working with it on the various criteria it has to meet. Ireland is clear that meeting the rule of law criteria to be a member of the EU is important and is valued by our State. As we know, as we go through the various different evaluations through each Presidency, it is important to ensure there is commonality and no backsliding of democracy throughout the European Union. We are working hard with those countries. However, we are clear to point out, and I do at my various interactions, that we are pro-enlargement. We want give other countries that inspiration, hope and stability that we have gotten through membership of the European Union. It has been transformational for Ireland. There are many things that we are now celebrating in our EU50 events at the moment.

Michael McDowell (Independent)
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I welcome the Minister of State and join in the congratulations to him on his appointment. I wish him well in discharging his functions in relation to EU affairs. I share what Deputy Haughey said about the Minister of State’s good performance on television from Westmeath. It was noted internationally.

I wish to raise two points. The Minister of State dealt with them to some extent. On Georgia, the foreign agents law is a disturbing development. I noticed that the US State Department made it crystal clear to the Georgian Government that was unacceptable. I think the EU is taking the same stance. We have to be conscious of the fact that it is, effectively, a mirror image of Russian law. If Georgia wants to be part of the European family, it has to adopt European standards of openness. It cannot possibly be serious about progressing an application for EU membership while, at the same time, going in the other direction, so to speak. The Minister of State mentioned the ambassador. He has almost established a branch office in Leinster House at this stage. I hope that message gets through to him, in one way or another.

On the Windsor Framework, I fully appreciate that it is a sensitive issue. Without asking the Minister of State to become involved in any domestic UK matter, I take it that parliamentary approval is, as his statement made clear, something that has to happen. There is a danger that if it goes on too long, there will be a loss of momentum. As other things happen with asylum-seeking in the UK and the like, it is important we do not allow too much grass to grow under our feet in relation to where the DUP is. It has to be given time and I understand that, and perhaps the Ulster Unionist Party as well. We can take our time but I think the Minister of State would agree with me that there has to be momentum too. We cannot have it just sag or lie on the shelf.

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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Before the Minister of State replies, I would like to echo something Senator McDowell said that was raised previously. I fully accept and understand the reason we are so proactive in supporting EU enlargement. It has been at the heart of much of our policy. In the context of what is happening in Ukraine and the way in which the EU is moving in relation to the outcomes of wanting enlargement for good, logical, strategic and political reasons, we still have to remember and be conscious, as a small state within the EU, of the importance of making sure that the process a state must go through to join the Union must put in place the absolute, solid underpinning values of the EU before accession. Unfortunately, and to be direct about it, we have seen that once a member state is within the EU and, shall we say, goes off the rails, it is very difficult to deal with anything within it. It could be a horrific future for the EU.

Some states are contemplating legislation on a level that would not have been seen as the norm in the past. With the type of thing that is happening in Georgia, if it were a member state, the EU would have the ability to deal with it within its own confines. That essential part of the underpinning of the values of the European Union prior to accession must be reinforced at every opportunity and not just let slip because of what is happening in Ukraine. I want to make that point to the Minister of State in the context of the Government's position.

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I am at one with Senator McDowell regarding Georgia. I made the point as strongly as I could to the ambassador when I met him last week, because it is a matter of grave concern. It has been raised at all levels within the EU, especially that alignment. As the Senator quite rightly stated, it is a mirror image of the Russian Federation.

With regard to the Windsor Framework, it is very important that it is voted on within the UK. The Prime Minister has given a commitment in that regard. It is a case of trying to achieve a fine balancing act between giving space and time to the DUP to make its determination and making progress when we have the wind at our backs, which we have right now. We are doing our best to try to encourage the UK forward and to keep selling it to their political system. Obviously, the EU will be moving forward with its ratification process. However, it is very important that what I have outlined is done. It is also important to so many of the communities within the UK, such as the farmers' unions and citizens in terms of the chambers of commerce. All those entities are very much backing the deal, which, hopefully, will give it a good tailwind.

On the Chairman's comments in respect of enlargement, rule of law issues are obviously critical. We see this with two countries, Hungary and Poland, going through the resilience and recovery plan and issues such as the independence of the judiciary being brought up. It is about trying to resolve those issues. Having the Commission withhold funding from those countries because they have not met the relevant criteria creates a major problem. That is why an absolute premium is put on rule-of-law issues and democratic backsliding and how we are conforming to transparency with members that are looking for candidate status or that are in negotiations. They must go through a rigorous plan. Obviously, that is one of the issues with Ukraine. We are very much engaged with trusted partners in trying to get so much aid distributed. A huge amount of reform has to take place in these countries before they can get the green light to become members of the European Union.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I want to raise another issue. I will fold it into my question on the Windsor Framework. Migration is a hugely political issue across the European Union. It has contributed to the rise of the far right and, probably, to the emergence of the far right as a visible political entity in our jurisdiction for the first time.

I would like the Minister of State to spell out in as much detail as he can the implications of the Swedish migration pact proposals. What specifically is on the table? What specifically are Ireland's views with regard to that? What are the implications of a common EU migration pact for Ireland? That is my first question. My second question is about the announcement yesterday by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on the UK's new, shall I say, controversial set of proposals for dealing with migrants coming from an EU state, namely, France. What are the regulations for the EU if that particular set of proposals and laws that were announced yesterday are enacted?

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I am sorry; could the Deputy repeat the last question?

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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It is in terms of the proposals announced yesterday by Mr. Rishi Sunak, the UK Prime Minister, for migrants coming from an EU state, namely, France, across the English Channel into Britain. Anybody who arrives by that means will be detained and sent to a third country and will be disallowed from ever applying for asylum or citizenship within the UK. Has that any implications for the EU?

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Obviously, we would be concerned by such a policy. I have not seen the detail of it. I was travelling into late last night and only got back this morning. Reforming the asylum and migration pact is obviously of critical importance to the EU, as is dealing with countries of origin and trying to ensure they are getting key supports to try to solve some of the difficulties they have in those countries. With regard to migration, if we do not get assistance and support into some countries, we will not get to solve the processes-----

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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What I understand is that the countries receiving the most migrants, namely, Italy, Greece and Spain, want proportionate redistribution of migrations. Is that what is on the table? What will the implications of that be for Ireland?

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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It is on the table, along with discussing countries of origin, countries of transit and a raft of resettlement issues. There are issues with legal pathways and reforming member states' adjudication processes, which is a big challenge for us because of the increase in numbers with which we are dealing. We are working with our EU counterparts on the matter, however. I have not seen a final outcome yet regarding the detail of what way countries are likely to fall on it. Based on their geographical location within the EU, there are very varied and different responses in terms of viewpoints from my colleagues across the General Affairs Council.

Ireland is working to try to get a unified solution and is trying to broker a deal in this area. We need reform, however. Any deal needs to respect the vulnerabilities of genuine asylum seekers who are fleeing oppressive regimes and who are in fear of their lives. We need to ensure that they get shelter and are looked after. In our country, we have put something like 250,000 jobs into our economy over the last 12 months. Critical to that is a legal pathway for migration and supporting our health services and any other areas. That is what we need to be firm on. We must have clear legal pathways for opportunities for citizens looking to come here. Asylum is very much protected for the most vulnerable. We have much work to do in that space at the moment.

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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Does anybody else want to come in at this point?

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Minister of State might present a paper to us in respect of the last question.

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Yes, absolutely.

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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If that is the case, we will bring this part of our meeting to a conclusion. I thank the Minister of State for his contribution. I thank the members. I gather the Minister of State is departing now so we will allow him to do so. We will go into private session where we have some other issues to run through.

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I thank members for the engagement. I will come back on the various different issues, including those raised by Deputy Haughey in respect of the EPF.

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State.