James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 41: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the effect of the formation of a new Government in the UK on the European project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20963/10]

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 58: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to meet the new British Foreign Secretary. [20863/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 58 together.

Following the recent British elections and the agreement between the Conservative Party and the Liberal Democrat Party on the formation of a Coalition Government, Conservative leader David Cameron was appointed Prime Minister on Tuesday 11 May and the Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg was appointed as Deputy Prime Minister on Wednesday 12 May, with all remaining Government appointments being made on Thursday 13 May.

The Coalition Agreement, which was published on Wednesday 12 May, includes a section entitled "Relations with the EU" which begins with a statement that the two parties "agree that the British Government will be a positive participant in the European Union, playing a strong and positive role with our partners, with the goal of ensuring that all the nations of Europe are equipped to face the challenges of the 21st century: global competitiveness, global warming and global poverty." This section of the document proceeds to set out a series of agreements between the two parties on more specific issues.

I spoke last week with the new Foreign Secretary, William Hague, to offer my congratulations on his appointment. I took the opportunity to recall our useful meeting during my visit to London last February. I now look forward to developing a close working relationship with Mr. Hague within the EU Council framework as our two countries address together the EU agenda and the full gamut of international issues. I had arranged a short bilateral meeting with Mr. Hague on Monday, in the margins of the EU-Latin America and Caribbean summit in Madrid. Unfortunately, air travel restrictions due to volcanic ash prevented me from travelling to Madrid. Contacts are underway to arrange an alternative meeting at the earliest opportunity.

I note that the Foreign Secretary has had an opinion piece published in Monday's Irish Times. Without going into all the detail, his description of the accomplishments of the Union over the past 20 years is certainly one I would agree with, as is his setting out of some of the main challenges on which we need to work together: combating climate change, fighting global poverty and securing our energy supplies. I look forward to working with Mr. Hague on the full range of EU issues, above all the EU response to the economic challenges which Europe is currently facing.

I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Mr. Hague's predecessor, David Miliband, who was appointed Foreign Secretary one month after I was appointed to this office. During almost two years working together in the EU, at the UN and in many other international fora, we established a strong and productive relationship.