Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The concept of a European political community was an initiative of the French President, Mr. Emmanuel Macron. He made this proposal at the Conference on the Future of Europe when it was concluding. Forty-four European countries, including Ireland, attended the first meeting in Prague. The UK also attended, which marked a change in attitudes by the British to European affairs generally. There is no doubt that the Russian invasion of Ukraine acted as a catalyst for the establishment of this new forum. At the meeting, extraordinary solidarity was expressed with Ukraine, and rightly so. The European Political Community also gives encouragement and support to applicant countries pending their full membership of the EU. Is there a future for the European Political Community? How would the Taoiseach like to see this forum develop? Should it be given a more formal structure and should it meet more frequently? I would welcome the Taoiseach's views on these matters.

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