Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Yes, the cross-party decision we made and the debate we had on the cross-party motion last November.

The European Council's conclusions stated that member states should further intensify their efforts to accelerate the relocation of unaccompanied minors in particular. As a signatory to that statement, it is important for the Taoiseach to work to ensure that Ireland leads in this area. That is the will of the people of Ireland and certainly the will as expressed in this House.

I do not propose to dwell on this issue but I note the agreement at the European Council to revise the Schengen borders code. While Ireland clearly remains outside Schengen - which is likely to remain the case for the foreseeable future - it would be useful, in the context of the ongoing Brexit debate, if the Taoiseach could keep us briefed on developments regarding Schengen.

In dealing with security matters, the Council also invited the European Commission to make proposals for the establishment of a European defence fund. This is an area in respect of Ireland needs to be alert. First and foremost, as the Taoiseach indicated, the neutrality of our nation should not be brought into question. I hope that the long-established Irish policy on neutrality will be constantly reinforced as has been the case up to now.

Second, a debate around defence spending affords Ireland an opportunity to argue for greater investment in infrastructure. That was something we did previously. The Taoiseach will recall that when eastern countries were anxious for defence spending to be excluded from the terms of the evaluation of commitments under the Stability and Growth Pact, Ireland and a number of other member states argued that vital infrastructure should be treated in a similar fashion. In that way, when we have the capacity and money is cheap, we can invest in the roads, schools, hospitals and broadband that are vital for our economic development. On foot of a proposal I put forward, the Party of European Socialists has established a network of economic experts to propose such changes to the Stability and Growth Pact. My colleague, Deputy Sherlock, raised this issue with Commissioner Moscovici yesterday. However, there is also a need for the Taoiseach to raise it at European Council level. The desire of central European countries to increase defence spending is understandable at the moment, particularly in light of the peculiarly aggressive stance being taken by Russia. From Ireland's perspective, however, it also gives us the opportunity to put forward our views on infrastructural spending.

The conclusions on youth issues are easily the most disappointing aspect of the published conclusions. It would be useful if the Taoiseach could inform the House as to whether the discussion was in any way more detailed than the conclusions infer. The conclusions simply state that work relating to young people should continue. Naturally, such work should continue but that does not indicate any ambition. Ireland and its EU partners have a requirement to deal with issues such as apprenticeships, employment, access to third-level education and combating youth unemployment. The Council does not seem to see any need for work to be stepped up on this, but that is not the Taoiseach's view or that of the House.

Finally, the Council discussed Syria. It appears that advocates for peace have now been reduced to crying out when atrocities occur. The European Council did so again. More than 300,000 people have been killed since the uprising began in March 2011. During the intervening period, 11 million people - twice the population of this island - have been displaced and left homeless. In many instances, they now find themselves many miles from home. I visited Syrian refugee camps on border between Syrian and Jordan. I saw people who previously had a standard of living exactly like ours suddenly reduced to nothing. They fled for their lives with nothing, which is pitiable. Talks have taken place in recent days in Astana, but very little seems to have come from them.

Thankfully, a nationwide ceasefire has been in effect since the end of last year. From media reports, however, it appears that ceasefire is under stress. Air strikes and clashes have been reported on several battlefronts, particularly in the Wadi Barada region to the north west of Damascus. Of course, Islamic State and other groups are not part of any ceasefire arrangement. Any respite is welcome, but we need to find ways to ensure that the Council's conclusion that hostilities in Syria must cease immediately becomes not simply an aspiration but a reality.

In addressing foreign affairs matters, it would be remiss of me not to ask the Taoiseach to make some direct comment about the situation facing Ibrahim Halawa. As the Taoiseach is aware, a cross-party group travelled to Egypt two weeks ago to meet Ibrahim and step up our national efforts to secure his release. We came home with expectations that progress could be hoped for but his trial, although formally commenced, is making very slow progress. I invite the Taoiseach to advise us on whether he believes that some intervention by him at European Council level might advance Mr. Halawa's cause.

At the outset, I noted how strange it was to read the conclusions of the European Council meeting and discover that Brexit was not mentioned at the formal meeting of the EU 28. At the informal meeting of the EU 27, at least some discussion happened in the absence of the United Kingdom. I am concerned that the conclusions of the informal meeting make no reference whatsoever to Ireland. I will continue to press the Taoiseach on this matter in order to provide the sort of updates I have sought. I welcome the initiative announced by the Taoiseach. I hope that when there are more substantial issues, as was requested, we will not simply be having ten-minute statements. We should have a meaty debate on it with questions and answers. That would be really important.

The annexe which defines the procedural arrangements for the negotiations around Article 50 makes clear that a dedicated working party with a permanent chair will oversee the negotiations between meetings of the European Council, and will provide guidance with Michel Barnier and his team.

The Taoiseach might confirm whether Ireland has secured membership of this working party; as the most affected country, we really need to be on it. If possible, we might seek to chair it. I do not want to mention any names but we can think of very distinguished former European officials at the highest level who would be seen as acceptable for the role across the European Union. It is something we should advocate.

We might hope the very hard Brexit now being advocated by the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom could have some of its corners rounded off in the Parliament, although that may be an optimistic view. Unfortunately, the court has decided the devolved assemblies should not be involved in a direct mandate of the negotiating position in the United Kingdom. In that context, it becomes all the more important for the unique circumstances facing all of the people of this island to be explicitly acknowledged in the position to be adopted by the European Union and for us to have clear inroads into ensuring the unique position of the people on this island will be properly represented in the position of the 27 EU member states.

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