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

I congratulate Deputy Byrne on his appointment as Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs. I regret that he was not able to go to Brussels but I appreciate the circumstances behind that, which concerned the Covid-19 crisis. I welcome the agreement reached by the European Council on the multi-annual financial framework and the recovery stimulus package, which, as the Taoiseach has said, is unprecedented. I also welcome the Brexit reserve fund. Moreover, I support the general strategic approach adopted by the Taoiseach in these negotiations. Ireland is a small, open economy. We are an exporting nation dependent on free trade. A strong and united Europe benefits Ireland.

Following some initial doubts about the capacity of the EU to respond to the Covid-19 crisis, a plan for moving forward has finally been agreed. That is a good thing. We were all beginning to wonder whether the EU was up to the challenge of Covid-19 and whether there would be solidarity. This plan demonstrates that the EU is up to the challenge and is determined to bring about a Europe-wide economic recovery. What is the position on own resources with respect to contributions to the cost of EU borrowing? I refer in particular to the suggestion of a digital tax, which of course would have consequences for Ireland and the Irish economic model. When will the issue of own resources be dealt with, and is that something about which Ireland should be concerned?

My second and final question concerns European liberal democratic values and the rule of law, which have been discussed in the context of this debate. I refer in particular to Hungary and Poland. I would like to deal with that issue in the context of the recovery stimulus package. I listened to what the Minister of State said in that regard and what was agreed by the European Council. I note that the Dutch Prime Minister in particular was very adamant that the recovery package should be linked to this issue. Will the Minister of State assure me that the Commission will be very vigilant on this? It is an extremely important issue for the future of Europe. If these countries refuse to uphold liberal democratic European values and the rule of law on an ongoing basis, will the Commission take affirmative action in the context of this stimulus package?

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