Mr. Jim Clarken:

I will answer and might hand over to Ms Balfe as well. The direction of the EU is summed up in two main theme: securitisation and what is called "simplification". We know what securitisation is about. It is basically channelling funds towards arms, as the Senator said, and the protectionism Europe feels it needs. Simplification is the reduction or removal of very key pieces of legislation and safeguards to protect people across the EU and outside of it. We have seen it with individual countries and the worry of where the EU might travel with this. The real concern is that all funding for development assistance will be seen through a transactional lens - so, what are we getting for this? Does it financially benefit us as the EU? Does it deliver what it was intended to deliver, which is a rights-based development support programme, for countries that need it based on need, human rights and democracy and spreading what the EU describes as its "values"? Clearly, there is a real concern about the direction of travel towards that transactional approach. It is deeply worrying.

There is a lot to happen between now and the negotiations and we believe Ireland can, and should, play a role over the next number of months and leading into the Presidency. Ireland has in its own right played an important role as an independent state but it needs to amplify that voice in the European context, again working with allies and others to make sure that global gateway and these instruments do not become purely transactional matters.

Finally, with regard to the Senator's question about historical debt, Ireland rightly acknowledged the fact we are a victim of a colonial background. However, Ireland has also benefited in ways that we need to be open and clear about. The manifestation of the climate impact is probably the clearest way as a country that has developed itself using a very large portion of carbon.