Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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127. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which positive steps can be taken to influence the future of Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17803/19]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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EU leaders will meet for a special informal summit in Sibiu, Romania, on 9 May. During the meeting, leaders are expected to discuss priorities for the next institutional cycle and to prepare the Strategic Agenda for 2019-2024, with a view to agreeing it at the European Council in June.

In preparation for the summit, we will very shortly publish a statement on Ireland’s strategic priorities in the EU for the next five years. This statement will be informed by what we have heard during our own public engagement process, led by Minister of State McEntee through the Citizens' Dilaogues held last year, as well as consultations with all other Government Departments.