Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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68. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is concerned regarding the recent revelations of apparent spying and surveillance by the United States of America on the EU's delegations to both the US in Washington and the UN in New York; if his attention has been drawn to any such concerns regarding this taking place on member states' diplomatic missions within the US, notably the Embassy of Ireland, Consulate Generals and any other diplomatic activity in the US; if he shares the same concerns as the President of the European Parliament, Martin Schutz and the Chairman of the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs Elmar Brok; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32747/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The reports of alleged US surveillance of EU premises are naturally of concern to all EU Member States, Ireland included. The EU’s External Action Service has sought urgent clarification of the situation in both Washington and Brussels. I understand that High Representative Ashton has also spoken directly to Secretary of State Kerry in a meeting in Brunei. The Government has already expressed our concerns to the US Embassy in Dublin at a senior official level, including that we expect clarification to follow on the EU request. It is important that there is clarity and transparency on this matter as soon as possible. Ireland highly values its relationship with the US both bilaterally and in the context of the EU. We expect to continue our cooperative partnership, in particular as we begin to work on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership