Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The next European Council meeting will certainly keep the Taoiseach busy. Much of the preparatory work will be done by 21 October. Nonetheless, some important issues will be on the table. Among the headline topics are the response Covid-19, soaring energy prices, digital transformation and some upcoming international summits. However, since Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki commandeered the microphone in the European Parliament yesterday and accused EU institutions of undermining Polish sovereignty, the stage has been set. Perhaps it was already set, with the ruling from the Polish constitutional court, but yesterday’s public ramping up of the conflict was deliberate. President von der Leyen was up-front in her comments.

Tomorrow, the European Parliament will vote on a resolution which "deeply deplores the decision of the illegitimate 'Constitutional Tribunal' of 7 October 2021 as an attack on the European community of values and laws as a whole". Given the comments of many MEPs, including Government MEPs, I expect that motion will be carried. That is what the Taoiseach is walking into. To be honest, I would liked to have heard a little more of his perspective on this matter. While I am not calling for megaphone diplomacy - there has been far too much of that already - I would still like to hear some clear, straightforward statements, either from the Tánaiste or the Minister of State, Deputy Thomas Byrne, in his intervention, on the issue of rule of law in Poland. My view is that while we must be firm and resolute in our defence of the rule of law, human rights, LGBTI and women's rights, equally, we must not be provoked into any tit-for-tat reaction. We must continue to seek a common approach at EU level. There are issues around conditionality of EU funds, which need to be explored. However, we need to look at them carefully because there are double-edged sword.

In regard to the EU protocol, I place on record my appreciation of the work of Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič. As with Michel Barnier, Mr. Šefčovič's knowledge and deep understanding of the many complex issues surrounding the protocol, the Good Friday Agreement and the context in which they are set have proven invaluable.

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