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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 9, 47 and 54 together. I thank the Deputy and I share his concerns. I outlined in my earlier reply the state of play on efforts to reach agreement on the MFF and the next generation EU recovery package. I am confident that the German Presidency will ensure that clear rule-of-law conditionality is retained. A prolonged delay in releasing funds to vital EU programmes due to continued objections from Poland and Hungary would have a negative impact on the EU’s efforts to deliver recovery across the Union.

More broadly, Ireland is a firm supporter of the rule of law and the values of the EU enshrined in Article 2 of the Treaty on the European Union. We believe it is vital for the EU to have the necessary tools to monitor possible breaches across member states and to respond effectively to challenges when they arise. The EU must insist on the highest standards from its own member states if it is to remain an effective advocate for the rule of law globally. Indeed, the very credibility of the Union is at stake. We have, therefore, supported strong and effective rule of law provisions to protect the EU budget. Once the regime of conditionality is introduced, Ireland will support its fair, proportionate and effective implementation.

It is important to recognise that this regime of conditionality would strengthen the range of existing tools available to the EU for monitoring, promoting and enforcing the rule of law. These include the ongoing Article 7 proceedings against Hungary and Poland, under which there have been several hearings at the General Affairs Council. Ireland has been an active participant in these hearings and will continue to be.

We have also welcomed the publication of the Commission’s first annual rule-of-law report this year, which presents a broad overview of the rule of law situations across member states and the EU as a whole. It provides a valuable, impartial assessment of both the positive and negative developments relating to rule of law. We actively engaged with the Commission in the preparation of the Ireland chapter of the report and we welcome the independent and impartial review of rule of law in Ireland. We look forward to discussing the Irish chapter of the report with fellow member states at a meeting of the General Affairs Council during the Portuguese Presidency in 2021.

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