Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 to 16, inclusive, together.

The Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs oversees the implementation of programme for Government commitments and considers policy matters in relation to the European Union and international issues. It most recently met on 4 December, when it looked ahead to the EU-western Balkans summit which took place in Brussels on 13 December and the meeting of the European Council on 14 and 15 December.

As I have reported to the House, the December meeting of the European Council discussed a wide range of issues including the situation in the Middle East, Ukraine, EU enlargement and the future strategic agenda for the European Council.

The EU-western Balkans summit was an important opportunity to reiterate our commitment to the EU perspective on the countries of the region and to urge them to continue with the reforms necessary for membership. The summit also discussed how to better integrate western Balkans countries economically, including through the western Balkans growth plan. It is expected that the Cabinet committee will next meet on 4 March, ahead of the March European Council meeting scheduled to take place in Brussels on 21 and 22 March.

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