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

The more things change, the more things remain the same. Following the most recent European Council meeting, Ursula von der Leyen is set to become European Commission President once again, provided, of course, that she is endorsed by the European Parliament. In addition, the centrist coalition in the Parliament has held, by and large, despite the shift to the right in France. I see that the centrist coalition is about to receive two new members, following the decision of Deputy Michael McNamara and Ciaran Mullooly to join the liberal grouping. That might raise a few eyebrows. As the Taoiseach said, Kaja Kallas from the liberal grouping is set to become the EU's foreign policy chief, subject to ratification by the European Parliament. António Costa from the socialist grouping will be president of the European Council. Of course, all of this is much to annoyance of the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni.

The European Council discussed security and defence matters. Reference was also made to defence readiness. Last week, the Taoiseach spoke in the House about the European Commission's new European defence industrial strategy and a regulatory proposal for a European defence investment programme. We can see the direction in which the EU is going as regards these issues. Are the implications of these initiatives for Ireland being analysed and assessed carefully? What will our approach be in the future to these developments?

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