Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle. As the Taoiseach indicated, I will address some of the economic and EU external issues discussed at the most recent meeting. The European Council in March endorsed the political emphasis of the Versailles declaration insofar as strengthening Europe's economic base is concerned. This includes unlocking the full potential of the Single Market to underpin the green and digital transitions essential to Europe's future prosperity and well-being. The leaders also endorsed the strategic priorities of the Commission's annual sustainable growth survey and invited member states to reflect them in their national reform programmes and stability programme updates to be submitted this month as part of their European semester process.

Ireland agrees that the annual sustainable growth survey produced by the European Commission in November provides the correct political emphasis for economic policy co-ordination at this time. It highlights four key dimensions of competitive sustainability as guiding principles for Europe's economic renewal. They are also consistent with the strategic direction established by the recovery and resilience facility forming the core component of the historic Next Generation EU budgetary package. The four dimensions comprise environmental sustainability, productivity, fairness and macroeconomic stability. The Commission will update its assessment of the economic outlook in May and has acknowledged significant downside risks since its February forecast, which did not take account of the impacts of the war in Ukraine. Given the renewed uncertainties and risks, Ireland's view is the EU needs to remain agile and flexible in our political response to the current circumstances and we welcome the conclusions adopted at the Council meeting in March.

On 24 and 25 March, the leaders also exchanged views on the EU-China summit, which subsequently took place on 1 April. The leaders discussed relations with China in the changed and urgent context of the situation. At the EU-China summit, the EU and China extensively discussed Russia's military aggression against Ukraine, which is endangering global security and the world economy. It is the EU's assessment that the shared interests of the EU and China should be to work together to stop Russia's war in Ukraine as soon as possible. From the EU's perspective, we view the EU and China to have a common responsibility to support peace, stability and a sustainable and safe world. While the focus of the summit was very much on Ukraine, EU and Chinese leaders also discussed the state of bilateral relations and areas of shared interest such as climate change, biodiversity and health, as well as ways to ensure a more balanced and reciprocal trade relationship.

The European Council also discussed the prolonged and political crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina, reiterating its commitment to a European perspective of that country and the western Balkans more generally. The EU wants to see leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina demonstrate a strong commitment to constitutional electoral reform, which is vital for the stability and full functionality of that country, an essential precursor to obtaining EU candidate status. The EU stands ready to continue high-level engagement in this regard.

I thank all the Deputies for their statements and questions. The Taoiseach will continue to report to the House following the regular meetings of the Council. We will try to respond in writing to any questions that have been collated.

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