Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Are the letters he has written agenda items? I am interested in the Taoiseach's view on the second of the proposed meetings, that is, the one without the United Kingdom. Court proceedings have begun in this jurisdiction challenging the legality of the exclusion of the United Kingdom from the Council. The UK is a full member of the European Union and pending at least the triggering of Article 50 of the Lisbon treaty, the contention is - and it is a matter that will be determined by our courts - that there is no legal basis to exclude the United Kingdom from these considerations. The allegation in the stated case in the legal proceedings is that Ireland colluded with others to exclude the UK. Has the Taoiseach received legal advice on the legality of such a gathering, or is it an entirely informal arrangement?

Will the Taoiseach indicate whether he has a view on another issue, namely, once Article 50 is triggered or invoked, can it be revoked by a member state? Has he received legal advice in respect of this matter or has the EU Council Legal Service has provided advice on it? There appears to be no clarity on that matter.

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