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

I welcome the commitment on the Paris Agreement given at the European Council meeting. We have seen the movement started by Greta Thunberg and the demands of the younger generation on climate change. It was timely that the European Council reiterated its commitment to the Paris Agreement.

Earlier the Taoiseach informed the House: "I also engaged informally with many of my EU counterparts on the margins of the meetings, using the opportunity, as I always do, to promote Irish interests ... It is important that we also play an active role in shaping our future as we move towards a union of 27 member states." I refer to new alliances as the United Kingdom leaves the European Union. I presume the Irish delegation took the opportunity at the summit to continue the efforts to secure new alliances in the European Union now that the United Kingdom is leaving. The United Kingdom was a close ally of Ireland on a number of issues, including tax and social policies. It will be a big challenge for us. We need to forge new alliances in dealing with a number of issues such as farm subsidies, corporation tax, security and defence, eurozone integration and EU integration generally. Dr. Catherine Day who was a special adviser to President Juncker will address the Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Union Affairs next week to discuss the issue of alliances. Will the Minister of State update us on the issue?

Earlier the Fianna Fáil leader, Deputy Micheál Martin, asked the Taoiseach about discussions that had taken place at official level on the Border in the event that there was a no-deal Brexit. I am sure my colleague, Deputy Lisa Chambers, will pursue that question in more detail.

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