Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 to 15, inclusive, together.

I travelled to Brussels on 22 and 23 June to attend a meeting of the European Council. As I reported to the House last week, the agenda dealt with security and defence; external relations; the Paris Agreement on climate change; jobs, growth and competitiveness; digital Europe; and migration. There was also a presentation by Prime Minister May following the launch of negotiations between the UK and EU last week, followed by a separate meeting of the European Council in its Article 50 format, of 27. As I will cover the substance of the European Council in my statement to the House later this afternoon, I will focus here on a number of contacts I had before and in the margins of the meeting.

Over the course of last week’s meeting I spoke to most of the other leaders. In my conversations, I reiterated to them my strong commitment to keeping Ireland at the heart of the Union and highlighted the unique difficulties the departure of the UK presents for Ireland. I can assure the House that there is broad sympathy for our situation and a commitment to work together to find workable solutions.

Following my election as Taoiseach, I spoke by phone to both Chancellor Merkel and President Macron. I updated both leaders on developments in Northern Ireland, and we agreed to work closely together to address the challenges facing the Union, including Brexit.

On Monday 19 June, I met Prime Minister May in London. We discussed Northern Ireland and the need to re-establish devolved government there, as well as Brexit, particularly the need to avoid any adverse impact on the rights and freedoms of our citizens, on trade and on the economy.

I took the opportunity of being in Brussels for the European Council on Thursday and Friday to have bilateral meetings with President Tusk, President Junker, Chancellor Merkel and Estonian Prime Minister Ratas. These meetings dealt with a range of issues, with a particular focus on Brexit. I expressed my thanks for the engagement and support of our European partners in prioritising Ireland's particular concerns, and I stressed the need to make as much progress as possible on these in the first phase of the negotiations.

There was general agreement that the talks got off to a relatively positive start last Monday, and we look forward to staying in close contact as they proceed. I also updated my interlocutors on recent developments in Northern Ireland and my meeting with Prime Minister May in London the previous week.

In my meeting with Prime Minister Ratas of Estonia, representing the incoming Presidency, I offered Ireland's best wishes and support to that country as it begins its term in office next week, the first time it will do so. As a fellow small member state, we know what a significant undertaking that represents.

On the broader agenda for the European Council, I expressed strong support for EU efforts on jobs, growth and competitiveness, including the emphasis on free and open trade, and said that progress here could have real and positive impacts on the lives of our citizens. I highlighted a letter to President Tusk calling for greater ambition in relation to the digital Single Market that I co-signed with other leaders, and I welcomed the focus of the incoming Estonian Presidency on digital issues.

The European Council also agreed to renew our commitment to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. As I stated previously, I am determined that the Government should show new ambition on tackling climate change, and this will be the subject of a half-day strategic meeting of the Cabinet.

I did not invite anyone to address the Oireachtas, as such invitations are a matter for the Ceann Comhairle.

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