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

It is significant that the second meeting of the EPC took place in Moldova, a small state of 2.6 million people which is a pro-European democracy and is under constant threat from Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. That brings me to the question of EU enlargement generally. Moldova and Ukraine have candidate status and hopefully Georgia will have that status soon. In the western Balkans, countries are waiting to join. Russia is engaging in ongoing attempts to destabilise these countries and is eyeing up Transnistria.

What is Ireland’s approach to these applications? Obviously they have to meet the criteria for membership but should we give an increased weighting to the prevailing geopolitical situation in these regions and the malign influence of Russia when considering these applications? Is there a danger they may give up on Europe if their applications are delayed further? This seems to be the view of President Macron.

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