Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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153. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Turkey’s application for membership of the European Union is being progressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12375/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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Ireland has long been a supporter of the enlargement policy of the EU, which is widely regarded as one of the most successful policies of the EU in promoting stability, peace and prosperity. Turkeywas granted Candidate status by the European Council in December 1999 and the European Council agreed to begin accession negotiations in December 2004. Progress has been slow, due in part to Turkey’s relationship with Cyprus. To date, fourteen out of thirty-five Chapters have been opened for negotiation, of which one has been provisionally closed. Ireland takes the view that the accession process is also important to drive forward the country’s reform agenda, and welcomed the opening of Chapter 17 on Economic and Monetary Policy on 14 December 2015.

Ireland supports the ultimate accession of Turkey to the EU, and is open to intensifying engagement on Turkey’s accession. We remain clear, however, that all benchmarks and criteria must be met, and no shortcuts are possible.

We are concerned about several recent developments in Turkey, particularly with regard to fundamental rights, the freedom of expression and the rule of law. These issues are, of course, an integral part of the EU accession process and this was highlighted in the most recent Progress Report on Turkey, published by the European Commission in November 2015.