Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Can the Minister of State outline when we should expect a decision from the European Council regarding a Brexit extension? Will a Council meeting be necessary or can it be decided through a written procedure? Is 31 January 2020 the only date on the table or are alternatives being considered in respect of Brexit?

Can the Minister of State reveal whether the Taoiseach discussed developments in Catalonia with the Spanish Prime Minister? Did he discuss the issue with other Prime Ministers and Presidents? The jailing of the political leaders for between nine and 13 years is an extremely serious and negative development within the EU and needs to be discussed. Before the Council meeting, the Tánaiste mentioned that the way forward in Catalonia was through dialogue with the Spanish authorities. Has there been any discussion or consideration of how we support the idea of that dialogue? Did the Taoiseach discuss creating a robust and urgent response to the humanitarian crisis in northern Syria due to the Turkish invasion and the unleashing of its radical jihadist proxies? Many NGOs have been forced to flee the region and Kurdish civil defence and medical organisations are in desperate need of medical aid and lifesaving equipment. Will Ireland respond positively to these requests?

This awful day, when 39 people were found dead in the back of a container lorry, highlights the desperate lengths people will go to for the opportunity to start a new life. Would the Minister of State agree that it also highlights the need for Europe to move from a fortress Europe stance to establishing legal pathways for people who are fleeing war, drought, including climate change, and extreme poverty? No one would take these journeys lightly. We know what happens along the route when people are travelling from Africa in terms of the attacks, the rapes or people being turned into slaves. No one would take that journey lightly if they had an alternative, if there was the potential for them and their children to have a fulfilling life. What can we do in Ireland and what can Europe do to create a legal path for many of these people?

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