Dara Murphy (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That said, there have been some very productive observations from other members of the Opposition.

As the Taoiseach has mentioned, I will address some of the external relations and foreign policy issues that might arise for discussion at the meeting next week. However, I must note that with the imminent publication of our budget, this House is carrying out a slightly earlier than usual consideration of the European Council agenda. It has not yet been clarified which foreign policy issues will be dealt with by the Heads of State and Government. That said, the focus of the European Council agenda is, of course, on migration and the instability which persists, particularly in Europe's southern neighbourhood. There is also a suggestion that there will be some discussion of Syria, Iraq and Libya.

I wish to emphasise, as the Taoiseach did earlier, that an important part of the Irish and European Union response to the migration crisis is working with countries of both origin and transit and attempting to deal with the root causes of the huge migratory flows that we are currently witnessing. In this regard, the European Council will discuss the two upcoming international conferences which are of most relevance - that is, the conference on the eastern Mediterranean-western Balkans route, which takes place in Luxembourg tomorrow, and the Valletta summit, which will take place on 11 and 12 November. The western Balkans conference is expected to agree a declaration emphasising the need for solidarity and an action plan.

The action plan will address support for host governments and communities in Syria's immediate neighbourhood, primarily Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey, support to affected transit countries, co-operation in the fight against people smuggling and associated organised crime, addressing the root causes of forced displacement, and working with the countries of origin.

The Valletta summit of European Union leaders and their African counterparts, along with multilateral organisations, will focus on the external relations dimensions of migration policy. The Valletta conference will seek to build on existing co-operation frameworks and issue two documents, namely, a political declaration and an action plan.

The ending of the Syrian conflict is essential to stabilising the Middle East, stopping the spread of radical terrorism and addressing the humanitarian and security crises which are afflicting the Syrian people and neighbouring countries. Ireland and the European Union remain strongly supportive of the efforts of the current United Nations envoy, Mr. Staffan de Mistura, to bring the conflict towards a close. Ireland's position, which has been restated on many occasions, is that a political solution remains the only basis for resolving the crisis in Syria and Iraq. We have consistently called for all regional and international stakeholders with influence over the parties to the conflict to give their support to the ongoing efforts of the United Nations to find a peaceful solution to this tragic conflict.

The position in Libya remains one of grave concern. Outbreaks of violence continue and large swathes of the country remain under the control of militant groups, including Islamic State. Peace talks led by the UN special representative, Mr. Bernardino León, have come to an advanced and critical stage, with a final agreement between all parties drafted and awaiting a decision. Ireland fully supports the European Union and United Nations in encouraging all parties to accept the agreement and move forward towards the formation of a government of national accord. We stand ready to work with the European Union to support Libya in any way we can.

At this relatively early stage, it is not yet clear how exactly the Heads of State and Government will divide their time among the issues on next week's Council agenda. However, it is to be expected that the conclusions to be adopted will bring some focus, in particular, the necessary impetus for further essential work to be advanced.

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