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

The resolution of the current crisis needs to be within the constitutional framework and Spain's democratic institutions. It is for all Catalans and Spaniards to shape their own constitutional and political arrangements through their democratic institutions and laws. As we are all aware, measures have now been taken to limit regional autonomy. I hope that after the elections regional autonomy can be fully restored. I am aware that judicial proceedings are underway and matters are before the courts, therefore it would not be appropriate for me to comment on them.

Apple was not discussed at the European Council meeting. The tax matters of any person or company are confidential. I do not know the details and am not at liberty to discuss them in the House.

PESCO was not discussed at the Nordic-Baltic meeting. By their nature, the meetings are generally short and last less than an hour. They tend to focus on the two or three key topics at the Council meeting, which were digital taxation, the future of Europe and Brexit. It gave me an opportunity to explain once again to the prime ministers of the Nordic and Baltic countries the unique concerns and issues I have. I was assured that they guaranteed their support into the future.

The engagement with the Nordic and Baltic group is continuing. This week, the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, attended the dinner of Nordic and Baltic finance ministers in Brussels.

Ireland will not join a European army, nor will we contribute to a common European defence budget. However, we want to be part of a common security and defence policy because we believe it is in our interests as a nation and in the interests of Europe. Security threats exist today which are not the traditional ones present in the 1940s when NATO was established and we enunciated our policy of neutrality. They include cyber terrorism, cyber attacks, traditional terrorism and drug and human trafficking. We want to be involved in European actions against all of these. We also want to share our experience and knowledge, as we do already, through the European Defence Agency, of which we have been a member since 1992.

PECSO will be an opt-in or opt-out system. It will be up to us as to whether we want to participate. In the first instance, it will require a decision by the Government and in the second it will require a decision by the Dáil. As there is no clear proposal yet, it is not possible to put anything to the Cabinet or Dáil. Once we know what we can or cannot sign up to there will be a discussion at Cabinet and a debate in the Dáil.

Prime Minister Muscat was advised to update us on the assassination in Malta. He took the opportunity to do so and condemned it unreservedly. However, he did not request any assistance from other EU countries at this stage.

Brexit is, of course, a rapidly changing situation. I am constantly asked what is going to happen, but I do not know. I do not think anyone does. Deputy Burton referenced the ongoing confusion in London. However, when we were at this point in September or October, I indicated I did not think it was likely we could say that sufficient progress had been made. I am now of the view that it is likely we will be able to say that sufficient progress has been made at the December meeting, allowing us to move on to discussions on transition and the future arrangements.

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