Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There is a serious misrepresentation of the views of President von der Leyen by some in this country. Some have done so for political gain during the European elections. I attended the European Council last night with 26 other prime ministers and presidents. I have not heard any country within the European Union actively propose another name for President of the Commission. While President von der Leyen has not got everything right, she has shown leadership on humanitarian aid and UNRWA, and has clearly called for a ceasefire.

It is sometimes convenient to blame President von der Leyen for other things. It is a matter for member states of the European Union to stand up and be counted when it comes to the association agreement. We have and Spain has. Belgium has made progress. It is not a competency of the President of the Commission; it is of the member states.

In relation to any arrest warrant, this country will always comply with international courts on these issues.

On Shannon and other airports, no airport in Ireland or Irish sovereign airspace is being used to transport weapons to the conflict in the Middle East. In 2023, and to date this year, no application has been received nor has any exemption been granted for the carriage of weapons on civil aircraft to Israel. Any such application, if received, would be refused.

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