Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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356. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he and his European Union colleagues have attempted to examine the consequences of an erosion of the founding principles of the European Union; if he can use his influence on the European Council with a view to a restoration of a vision for the European Union in line with that set out by the founding fathers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19763/16]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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357. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which to which he and his European Union colleagues recognise the need to reaffirm a commitment to the European Union ideal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19764/16]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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360. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if it is time for the European Union to set up a particular structure to address the issue of euroscepticism with particular reference to the urgent need to address the sometimes exaggerated claims which if allowed to go unanswered will undermine and destroy the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19767/16]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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361. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the concept of each member state within the Union expecting to increasingly impose its national agenda on the European Union's institutions can be addressed; if any steps are being taken to identify and re-affirm an agenda that applies to all in an inclusive and supportive format; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19768/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 356, 357, 360 and 361 together.

The issues which the Deputy raises are complex and there will be many views on these matters, particularly in the wake of the outcome of the UK referendum in June. Of course, I am well aware that, in individual Member States, there are those who would wish to leave the Union. However, this is not the position of any Government or Parliament.

At the European Council meeting in Brussels last week which the Taoiseach attended, the 27 EU leaders had a preliminary exchange on the best way forward. It was agreed that a period of further reflection would begin, and that they would have a more substantial discussion in the autumn. To this end, a meeting of EU leaders has been scheduled for September in Bratislava, hosted by the Slovak Presidency.

For the future, we must address the big challenges we face in a way that commands public confidence. We must work both to ensure that the EU emerges stronger from the current situation: that it does its own work better and that it is better communicated to the public. The Government will continue to work closely with the EU Institutions and our fellow Member States to put the citizen at the heart of the EU agenda for sustainable investment, competitiveness, growth and jobs.