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

I welcome the discussion at the European Council meeting of the strategic addenda, the next institutional cycle 2021-27 and the emphasis on protecting citizens and freedoms, developing a strong and vibrant economic base, building a climate neutral, green, fair and social Europe and promoting European interests and values on a global stage. That is something Ireland could work positively with.

It is disappointing that we could not reach agreement on opening accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania. The European Union has brought peace, stability and progress to Europe and if they were members of the EU that would bring great stability to that area. I would welcome the Minister of State's views on that. Presumably we are very supportive of opening up negotiations.

Is it true that the EU leaders spent just 12 minutes discussing climate change? There are reports to that effect. The climate conference will take place in Santiago de Chile in December and the European Council will come back to this issue but that does not send out the right signals. Can the Minister of State assure me that Ireland will insist that much greater consideration is given to climate change at the December summit?

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