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

The new European Commission is in place and has set out its priorities for 2019-24 which include a European green deal, a Europe fit for the digital age, promoting our European way of life, a stronger Europe in the world and a new push for European democracy. Fianna Fáil wishes the new Commission well and hopes, among other things, that the next five years will see advances in equality, strengthening of the rule of law and democracy, the promotion of sustainable economic growth, delivery of commitments given on climate change, ensuring Europe has a sufficient budget, an orderly Brexit and agreement reached on the future trading relationship between the EU and the UK.

The next five years will be critical for Europe and my party has consistently called for Ireland to ensure its voice is heard in debates on the future of Europe and on EU reform. We believe Ireland should be a leader in this regard and make meaningful contributions to such debates. The citizens of Europe are calling for reform of the European Union and that debate is overdue. Can the Minister assure me that Ireland will be to the forefront and proactive in bringing about reform measures which the citizens of Europe are calling for?

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