Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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6. To ask the Taoiseach the issues that were discussed and, in particular, if he requested the need for special status for Northern Ireland in the context of the Brexit negotiations in his meeting with President Tusk; and if he invited him to address the Houses of the Oireachtas on Brexit. [29801/17]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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7. To ask the Taoiseach the bilaterals he had at the European Council meeting. [29806/17]

Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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8. To ask the Taoiseach the bilaterals he had at the June 2017 European Council meeting; and the issues that were discussed. [29807/17]

Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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9. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the European Council meeting on 22 June 2017. [29808/17]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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10. To ask the Taoiseach if he has had contact with President Macron of France. [29838/17]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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11. To ask the Taoiseach if he has had contact with Chancellor Merkel of Germany. [29966/17]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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12. To ask the Taoiseach the main issues he will be hoping to address at the European Council meeting in June 2017. [29968/17]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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13. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his telephone conversation and other engagements with President Macron of France. [29973/17]

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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14. To ask the Taoiseach if he had any engagement with the British Prime Minister, Ms Theresa May, during the European Council meeting on 22 and 23 June 2017. [29981/17]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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15. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on bilateral meetings held at the European Council meeting in June 2017; and the issues that were discussed. [30192/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 to 15, inclusive, together.

I travelled to Brussels on 22 and 23 June to attend a meeting of the European Council. As I reported to the House last week, the agenda dealt with security and defence; external relations; the Paris Agreement on climate change; jobs, growth and competitiveness; digital Europe; and migration. There was also a presentation by Prime Minister May following the launch of negotiations between the UK and EU last week, followed by a separate meeting of the European Council in its Article 50 format, of 27. As I will cover the substance of the European Council in my statement to the House later this afternoon, I will focus here on a number of contacts I had before and in the margins of the meeting.

Over the course of last week’s meeting I spoke to most of the other leaders. In my conversations, I reiterated to them my strong commitment to keeping Ireland at the heart of the Union and highlighted the unique difficulties the departure of the UK presents for Ireland. I can assure the House that there is broad sympathy for our situation and a commitment to work together to find workable solutions.

Following my election as Taoiseach, I spoke by phone to both Chancellor Merkel and President Macron. I updated both leaders on developments in Northern Ireland, and we agreed to work closely together to address the challenges facing the Union, including Brexit.

On Monday 19 June, I met Prime Minister May in London. We discussed Northern Ireland and the need to re-establish devolved government there, as well as Brexit, particularly the need to avoid any adverse impact on the rights and freedoms of our citizens, on trade and on the economy.

I took the opportunity of being in Brussels for the European Council on Thursday and Friday to have bilateral meetings with President Tusk, President Junker, Chancellor Merkel and Estonian Prime Minister Ratas. These meetings dealt with a range of issues, with a particular focus on Brexit. I expressed my thanks for the engagement and support of our European partners in prioritising Ireland's particular concerns, and I stressed the need to make as much progress as possible on these in the first phase of the negotiations.

There was general agreement that the talks got off to a relatively positive start last Monday, and we look forward to staying in close contact as they proceed. I also updated my interlocutors on recent developments in Northern Ireland and my meeting with Prime Minister May in London the previous week.

In my meeting with Prime Minister Ratas of Estonia, representing the incoming Presidency, I offered Ireland's best wishes and support to that country as it begins its term in office next week, the first time it will do so. As a fellow small member state, we know what a significant undertaking that represents.

On the broader agenda for the European Council, I expressed strong support for EU efforts on jobs, growth and competitiveness, including the emphasis on free and open trade, and said that progress here could have real and positive impacts on the lives of our citizens. I highlighted a letter to President Tusk calling for greater ambition in relation to the digital Single Market that I co-signed with other leaders, and I welcomed the focus of the incoming Estonian Presidency on digital issues.

The European Council also agreed to renew our commitment to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. As I stated previously, I am determined that the Government should show new ambition on tackling climate change, and this will be the subject of a half-day strategic meeting of the Cabinet.

I did not invite anyone to address the Oireachtas, as such invitations are a matter for the Ceann Comhairle.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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If there is to be any form of special status for Northern Ireland, Dublin will have to propose it, especially in the absence of working institutions in the North. It is unacceptable that such a long period has passed without any Executive or assembly in the North given the urgency of the Brexit debate. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade said last week that we are in favour of a special status and, without deflecting that by talking about the UK staying in the European Union, will the Taoiseach say whether seeking special status is official Government policy? Nothing has been published so far outlining any proposals on this. My understanding is that models such as a cross-Border special economic zone have received official attention. Will the Taoiseach confirm that? Will he explain how much work is being carried out on this? Have any external experts been commissioned to advise on models of special status which could be pursued?

The Taoiseach said he thought the talks got off to a good start. I would have to qualify that. The proposal for a partial offer of long-term security to EU citizens in the United Kingdom is a poor start. The answer is simple. Both sides should agree to recognise the full rights in place today for UK citizens in Europe and vice versa. Negotiations can deal with the rights of new migrants, but it is disgraceful that there is ongoing uncertainty about the treatment of millions of people who are now bargaining chips in a negotiation that has not got off to a great start. There are 130-odd individual treaties that have to be renegotiated. We are still stuck on this issue which in some respects should be easier to resolve than the other issues.

Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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As this was the Taoiseach's first European Council meeting, it was an opportunity for him to build up new friendships and establish coalitions and alliances on his own part and on behalf of the country. I note he has spoken to most EU leaders since his election. In his discussions with them, has he given any consideration to the future of Europe? The White Paper on the Future of Europe was published on 1 March by the European Commission outlining several scenarios for how Europe might develop in the coming years: one, carrying on; two, nothing but the Single Market; three, those who want more do more; four, doing less more efficiently; and five, doing much more together. These are big issues for the Irish people. I am sure the Taoiseach will be able to establish how other EU leaders feel about these issues in the coming months. Ireland needs to be at the forefront of this debate as a country and the citizens need to be consulted about this as well. The European Commission has said it is going to organise a series of debates and publish reflection papers. The Government needs to do a lot to engage the citizens on this in order that the Taoiseach knows what the people of Ireland want and can convey that to the other EU leaders as these discussions and negotiations take place.

I note that the European Council dealt with the relocation of the European Medicines Agency and the European Banking Authority and that the decision will be taken by the autumn of 2017. How do Ireland's bids stand? Will they be successful?

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I agree with the views expressed by Deputy Micheál Martin about citizenship. One would imagine that it would have been a very easy win at the beginning and have established a pattern of goodwill on both sides simply to acknowledge and accommodate fully UK citizens who have been resident for many years in other EU countries and vice versa. That should have been an easy open concession. I am concerned that Ireland seems to have no view on that because our citizens will be covered separately.

My question was about the Taoiseach's discussions with President Macron and especially on his proposals for the eurozone.

2 o’clock

In his own campaign and subsequently, he has set out a programme of proposals, including the establishment of a eurozone parliament, a eurozone finance minister and a eurozone common fiscal policy. My concern is that a great deal is happening which is not being communicated to us or perhaps even debated within the broader European family. Were these matters discussed between the Taoiseach and President Macron?

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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Is special designated status an official Government policy and supported by everyone around the Cabinet table? What has the Taoiseach done to advance that proposition? I share concerns that there might be a tendency to rely on others to do the work which rightfully falls to the Government, State and Taoiseach in particular.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I refer to the Taoiseach's conversations with President Macron and Chancellor Merkel. They have put forward a renewed leadership of the Franco-German alliance concentrating on issues such as the development of a eurozone government with a finance minister and the capacity to levy taxes on citizens directly. What really concerns me is the following. Can the Taoiseach indicate whether he explained to them that Ireland is a neutral country and that neutrality is much valued here? Did he make it clear whether he backed their proposals and those of the eurogroup around a bolstered defence capacity for what are called by them "core EU eurozone members"? Will the Taoiseach recommit to Irish neutrality or does he favour changes on Irish neutrality on the lines they have been suggesting? It is suggested countries might provide for a eurogroup military presence. Where does the Taoiseach stand on that?

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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As we are speaking about engagements with foreign leaders, I take the opportunity to inform the House that the Prime Minister of Canada, Mr. Justin Trudeau, will visit Ireland next Tuesday with his family. I look forward very much to his visit and to renewing the long-standing bonds of friendship that exist between Canada and Ireland. As countries, we have a great deal in common given our commitment to free trade, multilateralism, personal freedom and liberty.

I share Deputy Micheál Martin's view that we need to have the Executive and assembly up and running in Northern Ireland as soon as possible. People voted for devolved government in Northern Ireland and they should have it. It is important that Northern Ireland has a unique voice when it comes to Brexit. It should not just rely on Dublin and London to deal with these matters. A joint letter on Brexit was issued by the late Mr. Martin McGuinness and Ms Arlene Foster and it contains the basis of a position the Northern Ireland Executive could take on the future of Northern Ireland. It behoves the parties now to form that Executive and to adopt a common position in the interests of the people of Northern Ireland.

Our primary interest in respect of EU citizens' rights relates to the rights of Irish citizens in Britain and maintaining the effective common citizenship which exists between our two islands. Irish and British citizens can reside, work and access social security, pensions, welfare and housing in either country as if they were citizens of both. I am glad Prime Minister May feels the same way as me about that and that Irish citizens will continue to be treated not as foreign in the United Kingdom. I do not differ from the sentiments expressed by others here in that EU citizens who live in Britain should not lose the rights they currently have but then I do not think Britain should leave the EU in the first place. I have no say in that, nor does any other Member of the House.

During my talks on the phone with Prime Minister May last night, we discussed the negotiations under way in Belfast and I impressed on her the need to ensure that the outcome is balanced, that there is parity of esteem and that the Irish language Act agreed is sufficient. She mentioned that of course there are language Acts in Scotland and Wales and if there are language Acts in Scotland and Wales, why should there not be one in Northern Ireland. What we are trying to do on the Border is secure an outcome which reflects Ireland's unique position because of the land border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. However, a great deal of what happens will depend on the final arrangements between the EU and the UK. For example, if the UK were to negotiate a free trade agreement with the European Union which is not dissimilar to the customs union and the Single Market, very little will have to be done. However, if the UK does not negotiate a free trade agreement with the European Union, we will then be in a very different space. What we are working towards at the moment is the best possible outcome, which is Britain staying in the customs union and Single Market. If we are unable to achieve that, it will be the United Kingdom having a free trade agreement or transition agreement which would be as good as staying in the EU. If we cannot achieve that, we will be in a lesser position. We have to think about the options in all scenarios. Officials have done a great deal of work on this already. I do not know if outside expertise has been hired. I would have to check on that.

On the agencies, we have agreed at the European Council a mechanism by which the different agencies will be decided on. It will not be decided at European Council level but rather at ministerial level. We have put in very good and attractive bids for both agencies but approximately 20 countries are bidding for the two. Most countries will be disappointed. The decision will be made later in the year.

I have met President Macron three times so far and had the opportunity to discuss different things. I am aware of his vision for the future of Europe albeit of all the things we discussed on the three occasions, that was not one. It was not something he tabled or raised at the European Council meeting on Thursday and Friday last. I imagine there will come a time when we have to talk about the future of Europe and what may happen beyond the existing treaty arrangements. Everyone is of the view that the time is not now given that we are in the middle of negotiations with the United Kingdom and must focus on much more practical issues.