Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The details are scant as yet. It is an idea that President Macron put forward. It was up for discussion at the European Council and the conclusions are there from the Council as to what it would be. These are not quite as detailed as the French proposal that was put before the leaders, which I think was published. It is generally an idea to offer a platform for political co-ordination in countries across the Continent. We have been very clear and the European Council has been very clear that it does not replace the EU and does not replace enlargement. We in Ireland are not fully part of every aspect of European policy; we are not part of Schengen and we have a slightly different position on justice and home affairs and the Common Foreign and Security Policy in terms of what our entitlements are as a nation. We are not interested in two-tier. However, there is an opportunity to bring countries together to discuss wider issues and the leaders will further discuss it at the informal summit in Prague. To be fair, it is at an early stage of development.

I was in both North Macedonia and Albania last week. Today and tomorrow are important days for them. On the basis of a French proposal, Bulgaria has effectively lifted its veto on North Macedonia proceeding to accession negotiations. The French proposal is now being considered by the parliament of North Macedonia and they will vote on it tomorrow . If they vote to support it, then North Macedonia and Albania will be invited to start negotiations with the EU on accession immediately. If the North Macedonian Parliament goes for this tomorrow - I think it is tomorrow and the debate is happening as we speak - there will be an intergovernmental conference, possibly next week, to unlock the door to let the negotiations start. There is a lot of work to do before they actually join but there is a huge commitment from the European side to do this.

The people of North Macedonia have genuine concerns about their language, their culture and the identity of Macedonian speakers.

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