Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Taoiseach for his comprehensive reply. Obviously, the UK is leaving the EU. The way things are going, it seems it is about to crash out of the EU. As a result of the UK's impending departure, the Franco-German axis is moving to centre stage in the context of the future of the European Union. There are moves for further EU integration. I am sure the Taoiseach discussed the future of the EU with President Macron. Ireland should be at the heart of that debate and have a positive input in respect of it.

I note that the Taoiseach and President Macron agreed on many things, but I would like to ask specifically about defence. Yesterday, 23 member states signed up to the permanent structured co-operation project, which is known as PESCO. I understand that this new EU defence framework will be launched at next month's EU Council meeting. What is Ireland's position on this initiative? What effect will it have on Ireland's long-standing policy of military neutrality? Has the Cabinet approved PESCO? Will the matter come before the Dáil? To what aspects of PESCO might Ireland subscribe?

Arising from the Taoiseach's reply, it seems that he and President Macron also discussed digital taxation and corporate tax harmonisation. This was probably another issue of difference at last month's meeting. Did the Taoiseach impress on President Macron that if his vision for digital taxation and corporate tax harmonisation comes to pass, it will threaten Ireland's long-standing economic model and represent a real threat to jobs, growth and living standards in this country? Can the Taoiseach provide assurances that he impressed on President Macron the importance this country attaches to those issues?

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