Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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56. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the European Union continues to positively influence the situation in all European countries with a view to ensuring less reliance on populism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10002/19]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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57. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if all EU countries and non-EU countries with which the EU has or may have close relations are adequately aware of the dangers of populism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10003/19]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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58. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he remains satisfied that populism or racism can have no place throughout the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10004/19]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 to 58, inclusive, together.  

The last number of years have been marked by a period of reflection and debate on the future direction of the European Union. This has included addressing challenges including populism and racism.

The 'Leaders' Agenda', endorsed by the European Council in 2017, is a work programme that seeks to find solutions to the main political challenges and priorities of the EU in the run up to the European Parliament elections. The aim is that EU Institutions and Member States should deliver practical improvements to the lives of citizens through policies to promote jobs and growth and by addressing internal and external challenges such as populism and racism. Completion of the single market and Digital Single Market – which Ireland has been pushing – are two ways of doing that.

The wider debate will culminate in an informal summit in Sibiu next May. Leaders are expected to mark the occasion with a renewed commitment to an EU that delivers on issues that really matter to people. At that meeting, Heads of State or Government will discuss priorities for the next institutional cycle, with a view to agreeing on the next Strategic Agenda (2019-2024) in June 2019.

Engaging meaningfully with citizens across the Union; listening and responding to their concerns is a key means of combatting populism and racism and ensuring support for our work on EU issues.

It will also be important that parties which reject populism receive the strong support of the public in the forthcoming elections to the European Parliament.