Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I wish to ask about the future of Europe and the Taoiseach's discussions in that regard, particularly at the meeting on 2 March. The European Commission has set out five options for the future of Europe. These include: carrying on; having nothing but the Single Market; those who to do so doing more; doing less more efficiently; or doing much more together. Has the Taoiseach had any sense in his discussions as to which of those five scenarios the Irish Government would see as our future? I am conscious of his statement to the effect that he will press ahead in respect of areas of common interest and that these are all economic. I have a slight concern that we are not looking at social, environmental or other issues, and that what the Taoiseach referred to all relates to one area. Did the Taoiseach give an indication of what would be the approach of the Government in responding to the Commission's scenarios to set out our vision of our role in the future of Europe?

I was shocked to see some VoteWatch analysis recently which identifies Ireland as probably the most negative country on just about any suggestion for the development of Europe. It is opposed to economic integration, tax harmonisation and defence co-operation. There was also a categorisation of the responses from governments to date. Eastern countries are very nervous about a segregated or two-speed approach but western governments are possibly in favour of that. Northern and Scandinavian governments are looking for neither of those. Where did the Taoiseach place us when he spoke with either members of the Commission or President Tusk on the future of Europe White Paper?

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