Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

There is a variety of different questions. My first question relates to the ECB President Draghi. As the Taoiseach informed us, President Tusk invited Mario Draghi to deliver a brief intervention at the Council to get his views on economic recovery and the outlook for the European Union. We understand his view is that while there was a pick up in 2016 he warned that 2017 was fraught with the risks posed by both Brexit and the outcome of the US presidential election. Is the Taoiseach concerned at the recent remarks by the head of the US National Trade Council, Peter Navarro, specifically on Germany and his attack on Germany and the euro? He said the euro was gaining unfair trade advantage from being grossly undervalued. What is the Taoiseach's attitude to that statement and has he discussed it with any of his colleagues? Will he discuss it with his American colleagues, in particular with President Trump, because it is very undermining of our currency for that sort of remark to be made by such a senior member of the Administration in the United States?

In relation to the discussions in Malta, the Taoiseach has indicated that he did not circulate a position paper on Ireland's concerns on Brexit to the EU leaders summit in Malta in February. Why was that? What mechanism is the Government using to communicate our deep concerns about the impact of Brexit on this State to other European leaders? Has a common position paper for Ireland been circulated to make sure that everybody understands the detail of our concerns? What strategy has the Taoiseach employed to deal with the issue?

In relation to the potential outcome of the debate, the decision on the terms negotiated will ultimately be determined by the Council, by qualified majority voting. Ireland could be outvoted and we could be in a situation where we would have vehement opposition and yet have no blocking mechanism. Has the Taoiseach raised that potential with his colleagues and has any thought been put in here to ensure that since no country is going to be affected in the way Ireland will be, that we will ensure that at least the deal negotiated is acceptable to us?

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