Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for their statements in the House this afternoon. I will focus my remarks on enlargement, security and defence, and migration.

On the situation in the Middle East, Ireland has consistently been clear that the protection of civilians must be paramount. It is an obligation under international humanitarian law. There must be accountability for civilian deaths. We are very disappointed that the truce between Israel and Palestine has been ended. The seven-day truce was seen to work, with the release of hostages and the flow of much-needed aid into Gaza. The efforts of the US, Qatar and Egypt in securing the truce agreement should be commended. Their work highlights the value of effective diplomacy. Ireland reiterates its call for the establishment of a durable humanitarian ceasefire. Gaza's civilian population cannot be allowed to suffer any further. They urgently need fuel, food, water and medical supplies on a sustained basis and at scale. Humanitarian access to all parts of Gaza must be facilitated. All hostages held by Hamas and other groups in Gaza should be immediately and unconditionally released. We are also deeply concerned about the rising tensions, violence and deaths in the West Bank. We have seen a sharp rise in settler violence and the displacement of Palestinian communities. This is unacceptable and must end.

On 8 November, the European Commission published its annual enlargement package, which serves as a necessary and valuable assessment of the current state of play in the EU enlargement process. The report shows that Montenegro, Serbia and North Macedonia continue to be the candidate countries best prepared for EU membership but that progress over the last 12 months was greatest in Moldova, Ukraine and Albania. We welcome the Commission's recommendations to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, to grant candidate standing to Georgia on the understanding that additional steps are to be taken and to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina once the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria is achieved. As these decisions will have to be taken by leaders at the December meeting of the European Council, I cannot prejudge the final outcomes. However, we will engage in the period ahead to secure forward-looking Council conclusions that maintain the current momentum on enlargement policy while also ensuring a merit-based accession process.

The enlargement package also included a proposal for a new growth plan for the western Balkans. This envisages a €6 billion investment to bring the western Balkans closer to the EU, advance accession-related reforms and boost the regional economy by opening aspects of the EU Single Market to those states. We have expressed our support for the growth plan on the strict condition that rewards must be closely linked to substantial and irreversible reforms. The magnitude of potential benefits offered by the new growth plan should not be underestimated. As such, we encourage our western Balkan partners to accelerate reforms accordingly to fully seize this transformative opportunity.

As a strong supporter of enlargement, we recognise that we need to begin reflecting seriously and without delay on what internal changes may be necessary to accommodate an enlarged Union. Our priority is to ensure the discussion is focused on how to facilitate and accelerate enlargement rather than a means to distract from it. Just as we expect candidate countries to prepare for the rigours of EU membership, we also need to ensure we are prepared to welcome new members. Those two processes should run in parallel and must be mutually supporting.

Leaders will return to a discussion on security and defence which last featured on the June agenda of the European Council. Discussions will consider the need for the EU to take more responsibility for its own security and defence needs and will propose that leaders take stock of work in this area and discuss the next steps in a range of areas. These areas including facilitating joint procurement and support for Ukraine, replenishing member states' stocks and accelerating work on the European defence industrial strategy and the European defence investment programme. Leaders will also discuss ways to speed up work on the strategic compass ahead of the annual review in March 2024 and ways to enhance access to public and private finance for the defence sector, including finance from the European Investment Bank. There are also likely to be discussions on efforts to counter cyber and hybrid threats. All of this work will continue to be in line with Ireland's traditional policy of military neutrality and our specific position on security and defence matters.

The European Council will return to the matter of migration, which has become a regular point for discussion. Leaders will review the current position on external actions, returns, readmissions and the protection of borders. This will also include the development of mutually beneficial partnerships with third countries. The situation continues to be very difficult for member states with many seeing increased numbers of migrants arriving at a time when we are also continuing to host a large number fleeing from the war in Ukraine. Work is continuing on the pact for migration and asylum and it is anticipated that agreement may be reached on all elements during the current legislative term.

I again thank Members for their active participation in this debate. The Taoiseach will report to the House following next week's European Council meeting on Thursday and Friday.

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