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

I thank the Ceann Comhairle. I echo what previous speakers stated and wish those Members contesting elections to the European Parliament every success. The attention of many in this House is now turning to the subsequent bye-elections and how that dynamic will play into the political system. That is another day's work, however, and we will wait until the European elections have been completed. This afternoon we had a presentation at our Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Union Affairs on how Ireland needs to create new alliances within the European Union to advance our agenda. That work has been well done by our diplomats. We expressed our gratitude to our diplomatic service on the great work being done pressing the Irish case in the context of Brexit.

I have one particular question for the Minister of State. I hope she knows the answer. If not, perhaps she can find out. Regarding elections to the European Parliament, in the event that the UK contests those elections, what is the exact legal position regarding the Irish seats, particularly the two extra ones? The Taoiseach has been reported as stating that votes may need to be counted twice on the day of the count. To take Dublin as an example, the votes might need to be counted on the basis of the constituency being a three-seater and also on the basis of it being a four-seater. There seems to be some confusion. It seems likely that the UK will be contesting these elections but who knows. We need some clarity on this issue. I am sure the candidates require clarity as well.

According to media reports, President Macron of France was particularly difficult at the European Council meeting and held out for a much shorter extension to Article 50. There is talk about the French President asserting his authority because the German Chancellor is due to retire. President Macron will become a senior person within the European Union and he is advancing a very integrationist, federal agenda in the context of co-operation on defence.

He has issues regarding tax harmonisation, a eurozone budget and so on and Ireland must be very conscious of that. We saw a small example of it at the European Council meeting held last week.

The Taoiseach has spoken of his interest in the UK joining a customs union and the Labour Party there is looking at that also. Does the Government have a view on that? Certainly, the Taoiseach has spoken of the advantages of that approach in resolving the Brexit issue and the question of a hard border on the island of Ireland. Are we advancing the proposition of the UK remaining in some form of customs union to anyone who will listen? Would it resolve the issues we face and are we actively advancing the matter?

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