Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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28. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his bilateral meetings with the President of Finland, Mr. Sauli Niinistö and the Prime Minister of Finland, Mr. Juri Sipilä in Helsinki and other meetings he held during his visit. [46991/18]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I travelled to Helsinki earlier this month, where I had bilateral meetings with the President of Finland, Sauli Niinistö, and the Prime Minister of Finland, Juha Sipilä.

Finland and Ireland are like-minded on many issues, and both bilateral meetings were very warm and constructive.

In my meeting with Prime Minister Sipila we discussed Finland’s upcoming Presidency of the EU and a range of issues across the EU agenda including Brexit, migration, and economic issues, such as the Multi-Annual Financial Framework and Economic and Monetary Union. We also looked forward to Finland's upcoming Presidency of the Council of Ministers in the second half of 2019.

In meeting with President Niinistö issues raised included security and defence, external relations, including the EU's relations with Russia, an issue which is of particular concern in Finland.

In both my meetings we also discussed bilateral relations between Finland and Ireland, which are excellent, and agreed to continue work to further strengthen our strategic relationship. I also took the opportunity to thank both leaders for their solidarity throughout the Brexit negotiations.

I attended a networking event later that day, hosted by our Ambassador to Finland, where I met with Irish business, cultural and community representatives.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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29. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the Armistice centenary commemoration at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. [47846/18]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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31. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with the French President, Mr. Emmanuel Macron during Armistice commemorations. [48230/18]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 31 together.

I travelled to Paris where I was honoured to represent Ireland at the Armistice Day Commemorations on 11 November.

I am grateful to President Higgins for offering to delay his inauguration ceremony that day, to enable government and other representatives to attend commemoration ceremonies across Ireland, the U.K. and France.

Eighty-four Heads of State and Governments gathered at the Arc de Triomphe to remember those who lost their lives or were wounded in World War One.

This solemn occasion served as a stark reminder of the tragedy of war, and the need to focus our efforts on working together at European and international level to ensure that history does not repeat itself.

President Macron hosted the event and I had the opportunity to speak with him upon arrival, and in the margins of the ceremonies.

I also had informal exchanges with other counterparts including several European and African leaders, as well as Prime Minister Trudeau of Canada, and the heads of international organisations.