Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

22. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his most recent discussions with President Macron of France and his proposals regarding further European integration. [44691/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My meeting with President Macron in Paris covered bilateral relations, the Brexit negotiations, and the future of Europe.

We noted the extensive trading relationship between us and agreed that this provides a solid platform on which to build into the future, especially as Ireland looks to grow and diversify markets in the context of Brexit.

We also discussed our co-operation in other areas, including the EU Training Mission in Mali, and our joint commitment to the planned Celtic Interconnector that will link our electricity networks.

On Brexit, we welcomed the progress achieved to date in the negotiations and agreed that further work is required on the three withdrawal issues - citizens' rights, financial settlement and Irish/Northern Irish issues -before the European Council can agree that sufficient progress has been made in order to move onto phase two. I thanked the President for his continuing understanding and support on Irish-specific issues.

On other EU issues, we agreed on the importance of supporting agriculture and protecting our vital interests in the ongoing Mercosur negotiations.

We also agreed on the enormous potential of the digital economy. I outlined my view that the best way to achieve a successful outcome in the taxation area is to support the work underway at the OECD.

I acknowledged the renewed energy that President Macron has brought to the debate on the future of Europe, and its further integration, and I outlined my view that we need to focus on where Europe can have concrete and positive impacts on the lives of our citizens.

We also discussed our respective plans to bring the debate on Europe to the public, through the citizens’ dialogue, and other mechanisms.