Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Kyne for his question. I was going to refer in my concluding contribution to the huge contribution of my predecessor but I want to take the opportunity to refer to Deputy Kyne's question. Deputy Creighton did an extraordinary job in this role. Her service to our country and the European project was demonstrated by her intellect, energy and long-standing interest in European issues. While I know she wishes she was continuing in her office, I know she made a decision because of what she believed was the right thing to do, which we respect and admire. I very much look forward to working with her in my current role to ensure her expertise is still available to the country, as I am sure she would wish. I join Deputy Kyne in wishing her the very best of luck in the future, and I look forward to working with her.

In respect of the specific question asked by Deputy Kyne, for obvious geographical and historical reasons, Lithuania is deeply aware of all of the opportunities and challenges that Russia presents. The Deputy already touched on one of the implicit challenges, namely, the security of energy supply across the European Union and for ourselves. That is why the European Union has put so much effort into looking to do all it can to develop an integrated energy market across Europe and, despite the difficult financial circumstances we are in, still prioritise capital spending to put in place the infrastructure to make us more secure in the future and to make our energy supply more sustainable. I know Lithuania, along with many of its neighbours, is using all opportunities to develop its relationship with Russia. I know it will be using the Presidency to do the same and I can assure the Deputy that through my work on the council, I will support its efforts to develop a successful relationship with Russia.

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