Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is interesting we are having these statements on the day the Schengen Agreement turns 30. The Schengen area is 30 years in existence today. It started with seven countries and now comprises 25, plus four non-EU countries. It is a union that has made us somewhat complacent about crossing borders because, as part of its operation in the European Union, it makes it very easy for citizens to travel around the European Union. Unfortunately, Ireland is not part of the Schengen area for understandable reasons, given the free travel area we have with the UK and the importance of the open Border with Northern Ireland. However, post-Brexit we have benefited from some other Schengen instruments, including for example the Schengen alert system under the extradition framework, the European arrest warrant framework, which has benefited us hugely. One of the things I would like us to be looking at in a broad sense towards the future is how we can move towards co-operating with Schengen in whatever way we can.

I acknowledge the conclusions the European Council made in relation to Ukraine and welcome its continued support for Ukraine. We all feel for the Ukrainians, not only because they are victims of the war, but they are now in a situation where their so-called allies across the Atlantic have turned on them. There has been a regrettable rhetoric from the United States about Ukraine. It has been dealt with admirably by President Zelenskyy in difficult circumstances but it is worth acknowledging that there is a role for the European Union as a whole to step into the breach, take over and ensure this is something we are serious about. The reality is that this is not a Ukrainian problem alone. It is a problem and future threat for everyone in the European Union, even those of us who are far removed geographically. We are all vulnerable if the situation that obtains in Ukraine is allowed to continue.

Equally I note the comments on Gaza in the Middle East section of the conclusions from the summit. I am slightly concerned about the opening commentary that states it deplores the breakdown of the ceasefire and then goes on to criticise the failure to surrender hostages. That is absolutely a valid criticism and Hamas has once again behaved deplorably. However, at the end of the day, the assault is very one-sided and there is a reason that is not acknowledged. I recognise that some countries in the European Council have very different histories with the Jewish people and have a very different psychological attachment to what they did to them in the past which may dictate their foreign policy today. It is important to acknowledge that there is a one-sided conflict happening in Gaza and it is worth the European Union acknowledging that as well.

I regret to see the new laws passed in Hungary to suppress LGBT minorities in that country were absent from the conclusions and the discussion. While the Council was good at addressing serious issues in such places as the Middle East and Ukraine, a discussion on the law that was passed by the Hungarian parliament by a majority of 136 to 27, led by Viktor Orbán's Fidesz party, was absent. That law is hugely problematic and will create lots of problems for everyone in Hungary, not only members of that community. For example, the law creates many draconian elements that are totally contrary to the principles of the European Union and the laws we all respect within the European Union. It is worth paying tribute to those parties that stood up to the rest of the parliament, given the overwhelming vote that went through, especially the Momentum party. Standing up for basic human rights is very important and it is worthy of remark because there was such an overwhelming majority in favour of it. I was sorry to see it was not discussed at the Council meeting. It would have borne discussing because allowing these things to go on affects every European Union citizen.

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