Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

With the UK now due to leave the EU next month and the new institutions in place, the EU is entering a new phase that will have significant implications for Ireland.

In relation to Brexit, the Government has been clear throughout that Ireland's place is firmly at the heart of Europe. We are determined to play our part in shaping the post-Brexit EU. The Taoiseach, I, the Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs, Deputy McEntee, and other Ministers will continue to engage with our counterparts across member states and in the institutions in the period ahead.

The European Council adopted a new EU strategic agenda last June to guide the work of the Union over the next five years. Its priorities, namely, prosperity, security, climate change, and upholding EU values, are ones which very much accord with our own values, as set out in last year's national statement on Europe. We want to see the EU leading on climate change, defending fundamental rights and freedoms, and building a fair and social Europe.

The new Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, is equally committed to implementing the strategic agenda and it very much informs the guidelines which have been set out for the incoming Commission's work. Last week, we saw the unveiling of the Commission's proposals on the European green deal which aims to make the EU carbon neutral by 2050. This is a goal which Ireland very much supports and we will work closely with our partners to help achieve it.

Ireland will engage actively and constructively in the ongoing discussions on the many critical challenges confronting the EU, including agreeing the next EU budget for the period 2021-27, and ensuring that the rule of law and fundamental values are upheld by all EU members.

We will continue to prioritise building new alliances with like-minded member states. The steps we have taken in recent years to reinforce our embassies in EU member states, as part of the Global Ireland initiative, will help facilitate this. We will also develop strong relations with the new leaders of the European institutions. The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, visited Dublin last month for consultations with the Taoiseach and we hope Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, will also visit in early 2020.  

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