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

It is very important. They have heard strong messages from Ireland and it is information that the House is receiving. I have told them that Ireland, the Irish language and Irish culture and identity have thrived in the EU, and that they will be able to do so as well. What the French have proposed is a difficult agreement for them to accept but it is necessary to reach unanimity which, unfortunately, in this case, needs to be on the table.

I should mention Bosnia as it is very important. There was discussion at the Council and it is going to be reviewed again in the autumn. There are 14 long-standing conditions to meet and the European Commission is reviewing them at the moment. We are fully supportive and we want to keep that country as stable as possible.

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