Katherine Zappone (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I start by welcoming the comments by the former President, Mary McAleese, regarding marriage equality for LGBT people. In an interview due to be broadcast tonight, Ms McAleese expresses her support for the institution of marriage being open to same sex couples. On a related civil rights issue, I note the European Union's strong criticism of Serbia's decision to ban a gay pride parade from taking place in the capital Belgrade this past weekend. This ban is part of a worrying trend in eastern Europe and Russia, prohibiting so-called gay propaganda - it sounds like we are in Uganda - with fines and prison terms being imposed. Similar proposals which infringe basic civil rights of freedom of speech and freedom of assembly have been put forward in other states with aspirations for EU membership, such as Ukraine and Moldova. Worryingly, such measures are also being mooted in current member states like Lithuania and Hungary. Given Ireland's impending EU Presidency, these events are a timely reminder that the European Union must be rigorous in insisting on fundamental rights and that this is an integral aspect of our priorities with regard to the Presidency.

That brings me to my question for the Leader. I recall the Taoiseach coming to this House last December to set out Ireland's priorities for our upcoming Presidency of the European Union and to hear our views on them. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs, Deputy Creighton, to the House to inform us of the preparations for the Presidency, what activities are planned, how the priorities are progressing and to perhaps respond to some of our earlier suggestions on the day of the Taoiseach's last visit. If the Taoiseach wants to come back, that would be another possibility.