Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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That is all the questions from members. I will not ask any questions as they have been well covered by members but, as Cathaoirleach, I will reiterate a few points. It is important to reaffirm Ireland's commitment to and support for North Macedonia's application for membership. Ireland has shown that from the start and will continue right the way through. I know Dr. Osmani will have further engagement with the Government on the issue during his visit. I come from a very pro-European background. I believe in what Europe is and stands for.

What North Macedonia's application process shows, as Mr. Osmani has very articulately outlined today, is the real dilemma that now face the European Union, rather than North Macedonia itself, with regard to the Union's collective will to deal with enlargement and to operate in a way that encompasses and shows the generosity of spirit evident in 1972 and 1973, when we were joining, and to bring that through to 2023.

Without a shadow of a doubt, as a Union, we have had a wake-up call. What the conflict in Ukraine has shown clearly is that horrendous war can evolve quickly out of a vacuum. What the European Union and its member states need to learn from that is what is at the heart of Europe. I totally agree with Dr. Osmani's assessment. There are applicant countries and member states that are side by side. If we do not work together to embed a solution for Europe, that vacuum will be filled by very malign actors who will take the opportunity to act through various channels, whether overt and criminal war or the type of thing Mr. Osmani has just been discussing, the modern version of cyber war that is designed to undermine and effectively destabilise a state or the existing structures within it. Fundamentally, that is possible because of the vacuum. In North Macedonia's case, it is very clear that, if everything is being done to fulfil the criteria and to meet the requirements, Europe needs to respond with that same generosity of spirit I have talked about to ensure that vacuum does not develop. That is the challenge facing both sides and that is why North Macedonia will have our continued support. There is no question that the real future of Europe relies on enlargement, strengthening and the involvement of those countries that wish to be part of the European Union family. It is up to the existing member states, through the European institutions, to make that happen. I wish Mr. Osmani the very best of luck in his work and in the other work he is doing on the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe side. It is very important. We really do appreciate this opportunity and the time he and his officials have given to engage with us here this morning. I thank him very much for that.